"Wade Hasbrouck" wrote in message
...
"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
"Wade Hasbrouck" wrote:
"The general rule I was taught for the 172 is, provided you haven't
'creeped
in on your downwind', once the landing traffice passes your wing tip,
you
can begin your turn to BASE, and it works out just about right..."

That's a pretty good rule of thumb when the two aircraft are flying at
similar speeds. It doesn't work when (for example), you're a 172 and the
guy on final is a Cub going 10 or 20 kts slower than you.

On the other hand, if you're a spam can mixing it up with jet traffic,
there's no reason you can't turn base long before your traffic has
crossed
your wingtip. If you're doing 80 kts on base, and he's doing 130 on
final,
there's no way you're going to catch him.

Yes, I will admit, you do need to be cognisant (sp?) of the types of
aircraft are in the pattern, and adjust accordingly, i.e. if you are a
172 and cub is front of you, yes, I would wait a little longer before
turning...

I am usually about 70 kts on base, and then about 65kts on final.

Other thing I just realized... If I am a 172 with jet traffic (not uncommon
at places like Boeing Field), and following the jet... Yes, I don't need to
worry about catching him, but do need to be very aware of wake turbulence,
and fly final/turn final above his path and touch down past his touch down
point, or possibly ask the controller for a different runway or "wait" (a
360 or something)... I haven't had to follow a jet yet... Have been in the
other position, where I was landing with Citation right behind me. :-) But
do realize there are aircraft (other than jets) that could in the pattern
that are faster than me...