"Jim Cummiskey" wrote in message ...
What would an instructor say when we line up for 'final' at 30 degrees
to the runway? Probably not good job'... 
Well, let's see. I got on the ground efficiently and precisely with the
minimum amount of fuel and time required.
That happens to me all the time. It does not mean that every flying
decision I make is correct
It was a completely safe
operation, and consistent with my understanding of the FARs and common
sense. Since I do hold a CFI ticket, that's exactly what I would have said
g There's a big difference between teaching a student to fly precise
legs in the pattern, and the real-world of getting from A to B.
What if ATC replies 'make left traffic, report 5 mile left base'?
Would you have driven straight for the numbers?
Nope, I would have driven straight for the normal point in the pattern where
one turns from base to final (approximately 1/2 mile from the numbers at a
45 deg angle to the runway). Actually, your question (although deliberately
smart-alecky and inane), really brings this problem into base relief. Are
you suggesting that I should have picked a point on the EXTENDED BASE 5
miles away and flown to that? If so, I see that as clearly just as wrong as
the "Report Y Miles Final" issue. In my view, a pilot should fly DIRECT to
the turning points in the pattern, NOT artifically extended just because the
controller really wants to know, "When will you be about five miles away?"
Obviously, this is your view, but where is documentation or FARs that
show it to be a true view?
Flying from 20 miles NE to the point 5 miles out on the RW centerline
is a bit less than 16 miles.
So rather than flying 20 miles in a straight line you fly 21 miles in
a pair of lines...
Thus, my decision to fly DIRECT to the point in the pattern where one turns
from base to final seems justifiable (while reporting five miles away from
the airport). Thoughts?
My thoughts are what happens to subsequent inbound traffic on a long
left base told to look for traffic on a long 5-mile final?
HankC