No more "Left Downwind"?

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
oups.com...
We attended a safety seminar on Tuesday during which the FAA presenter
(who was otherwise outstanding) went over a list of unapproved radio
calls. (Number one being, of course, the despised and now-specifically
prohibited "Any other traffic please advise...")

To our surprise, he claimed that the common phraseology "Iowa City
Traffic, N56993 entering left downwind for Runway 25, Iowa City" is
incorrect. In short, he stated that you should say "Iowa City
Traffic, N56993 entering downwind for Runway 25, Iowa City", omitting
the word "left".

In his opinion (and, apparently, the FAA's), saying "left downwind" is
redundant, since everyone should know that the pattern is left (or
right, if appropriate) hand traffic. In high traffic areas, the FAA
thinks that omitting this single word will open the over-crowded unicom
frequencies so that other pilots can squeeze a word in.

Mary and I (and several other pilots) kept quiet during the
presentation, but strongly disagree with him on this topic. IMHO,
saying "left downwind" is clear, concise, and -- most importantly --
clarifies which side of the airport you're on. To assume that everyone
knows whether the pattern is left (or right) is, in my experience,
naive.

What do you guys think?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I admit that I don't presently fly. That said, to put it politely, I think
the guy is foolish.

BTW; those Safety Seminars, which normally also qualify for the Wings
Program, are normally hosted by an FAA Safety Program Manager who is a very
accomplished pilot and who scheduled the event and is responsible for it,
and who's name appeared on the advance notice of the seminar. However, due
to various circumstances, the seminar may actually be hosted by another
pilot who the Safety Program Manager believes can handle the task.

I would give the Safety Program Manager a call, or alternatively chat with
him at the next event where he is present, and make him aware of your
concern...

Peter