Roy Smith wrote:

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized or required, each person operating
an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class G airspace area
must comply with the requirements of this section.


If an IAP requires a right turn to the final approach course you're clearly
"otherwise authorized or required".


True enough. And making a right turn from the 45 to left downwind is
just as clearly required.

I don't see it as being required. Authorized, yes, but I don't know of
any FAR that requires it. I enter the pattern on a 45 if it is
convenient. If I'm approaching from the upwind side of the field, I
overfly above pattern altitude a couple hundred feet, check the wind
indicator to confirm proper runway, look to the right for other traffic
in or entering the pattern, and then make a descending left turn into
the downwind leg. I've read arguments for and against the 45 entry and
I just don't see that either way is clearly preferable to the other.
There are vulnerabilities either way.


Matt