Pattern Entry Procedures - FAA Guidance

Todd Pattist wrote:

But this does not follow. 91.126 says you have to turn left
when "approaching to land," not when you're in the traffic
pattern.

And, once again, the traffic pattern IS the approach at a non-towered field.

George Patterson
Great discoveries are not announced with "Eureka!". What's usually said is
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"G.R. Patterson III" wrote:

91.126 says you have to turn left
when "approaching to land," not when you're in the traffic
pattern.

And, once again, the traffic pattern IS the approach at a non-towered field.

The traffic pattern may be "the approach," but,a gain,
that's not the language in the FAR. It's hard to say that
you're not "approaching to land" when you're less than a
mile away, your aircraft is headed directly at the runway
center, and you're following a prescribed track over the
ground that should only be followed by those intending to
land.

I just find it very hard to conclude that airplanes entering
the 45 leg are not "approaching to land," while those who've
turned parallel to the runway on downwind are. I just don't
see any good distinction. Usually, you're supposed to use
the plain words of the FAR, and give those words their most
common meaning, when interpreting the FAR. Would you argue
the same thing if the FAA did not recommend the 45? Would
you make the same distinction if these words were used in
some other FAR?

The only way out of the plain words that I see is for us or
the Chief Counsel to "interpret" the words to mean something
other than their ordinary meaning. I suspect that's what
the Chief Counsel would do if forced. I've got no problem
with that, and I certainly don't think this interesting
curiosity should prevent anyone from flying the 45. However,
to date, I'm not aware of any interpretation from the Chief
Counsel on this issue. Until there is, there's always the
chance that he'd adopt the plain meaning interpretation. I
suspect that the hot place would freeze over long before
anyone would be violated for flying the 45.
Todd Pattist
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To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.

You fly around the pattern without intending to land? Pretty wierd.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

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all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

"Cub Driver" wrote in message ...

To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.

I don't tend to make any turns on final (of course there are always those who
call the "left final" position report after turning from "left base" but I've never
understood what they were doing.

Recently, Ron Natalie posted:

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.

I don't tend to make any turns on final (of course there are always
those who
call the "left final" position report after turning from "left base"
but I've never
understood what they were doing.

Perhaps letting the jerk on "right final" know that they're in violation
of the traffic pattern?

Been there, seen that.

Neil

Perhaps letting the jerk on "right final" know that they're in violation
of the traffic pattern?

I suspect that the "left final" people come from right-traffic
airports and are mostly trying to convince themselves that what they
are doing is correct.

And yes, afraid that someone else might be on the familiar right
final.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
. ..
|
| "Cub Driver" wrote in message
...
|
| To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
| approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.
|
| I don't tend to make any turns on final (of course there are always those
who
| call the "left final" position report after turning from "left base" but
I've never
| understood what they were doing.


Now, suppose you are flying the ILS, doing the usual S-turns about the
localizer. You are approaching to land. Do you make all your turns to the
left?

Cub Driver wrote:


To me, "approaching to land" means a plane on final. Otherwise you're
approaching to get into the pattern, not to land.

If it only applies to planes on final, then FAR 91.126 says
that you can only make left hand turns on final. Of course,
if you're making a turn on final, I suppose you're not
really on final yet .....
Todd Pattist
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