OK, well given the variety of opinion on these replies from the NG -- and
i'd suspect variety of local custom-- I'd think that 12R controller had
better clear up if he means a 3 mile final, or a 3 mile base leg.... or he's
gonna be "all over" people all day.
You guys are giving me the mind that it is a good idea to read something
back like below when working with an unfamiliar towered field just to avoid
any confusion at all... at least it gives everyone a chance to sort out
misunderstandings early on:

Tower: "report a 3 mile left base runway 23".
Readback: "copy that 3 mile left base, for a 1/2 mile final, 23, 12F".

BTW, you guys on the NG are great with the different perspectives and
opinions. i don't get this richness from the local CFI's and hangar crowd

T


"BT" wrote in message
...
The rest of the stuff has been hotly debated.. is that 3 miles from the
runway out on base.. or 1 mile out and 3 miles perpendicular to
centerline... so I'll let that go.

But if given a wide pattern at our local airport.. Report 3 Mile Left Base
for Rwy 12R, you had best be 3 miles from the airport headed for a long 3
mile final, and then you get cleared to land. Do not DO NOT cut the
pattern short.. the tower will be all over you for cutting through the
traffic pattern of those he has on left traffic to Rwy 12L.

This happens all the time.. you are approaching the airport from the
Northeast, there is "training or T&G traffic" on the shorter 12L and you
are a full stop.. so you get 12R but tower still needs you to get around
and clear of the 12L traffic pattern. Oh.. and many times.. the tower has
split the airfield.. one tower operator on 12L freq, and one or 12R freq..
and they are standing side by side.