Flying patterns

On Sat, 30 Sep 2006 07:03:50 +0200, Mxsmanic
wrote:

Roger writes:

Ahhh...Think I'll pass on that one. Ever use binocs when bounding
around. A friend and I were Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan quite a
few years back This was in a 16' Aluminum boat. It was a pretty
rough day, but he wanted to take a look through the binoculars. He
lasted about 30 seconds, began to perspire and jammed the binocs back
into the case with the comment: "Boy! It wouldn't take much of that to
make a guy sick!"

The movement had not occurred to me; small planes must move a lot.
Controllers seem to always have binoculars at hand, so I thought
perhaps pilots would, too.

Even using binocs in a relatively large plane can turn those not used
to them, green in a hurry. It doesn't take much movement where you
eyes and other senses don't agree to quickly put your head in a "lunch
bag"

Most have pretty good visibility straight ahead. For many of us a lot
of pattern flying can lead to a stiff neck from looking for traffic.
Plus we learn to make slight and shallow turns (s-turns) to look for
traffic in all sectors.

Don't shallow turns cause you to stray from the pattern?

You are gently rolling into alternating left and right turns of only a
few degrees so it has little effect on your heading.

Normally it applies to every one, but it may apply in a different
manner depending on the size and speed of the aircraft.

What happens if you fail to observe noise-abatement procedures?

You could receive a fine which might be substantial.

I don't know of any, but they are widely available for less than $5.00
USD "I believe".

Not in France, I'm afraid.

They'll probably ship, but I don't know what good they'd be in that
case. :-))

You can order one along with charts from "Sporty's Pilot Shop" on
line. The online services I use require you be a paying member.

I don't have a working credit card, but I'll keep that in mind.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com