Question from a new flight student (whopping 7 hours!)

zatatime wrote:


As I see it, yes there are. All the airports that have a 1000' TPA
are "non-standard," although the rule of thumb you have written has
become it's own standard of sorts. This is why I brought it up. If
you're flying in a Piper at 1000' thinking it is correct, and I'm
flying a Cessna at 800' which is what was published, we're going to
have a problem because we won't be able to see each other if we're in
close proximity. Also when looking for traffic, if the traffic is at
different altitudes it makes it harder to spot them. I could cite
other examples, but I think you'll get the point. There are also
airports with different altitudes for large aircraft, or opposite
traffic rules for rotorcraft, etc...


At all airports that can expect some higher performance aircraft like
King Airs and biz jets they will have a second published pattern
altitude, almost always 1500' AGL. 99%+ of these aircraft are low wing.
So how are they supposed to see anybody?

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:23:58 -0600, Newps
wrote:

almost always 1500' AGL. 99%+ of these aircraft are low wing.
So how are they supposed to see anybody?


99% of them are also alot faster than a typical single so the
opportunity to remain over a lower aircraft is significantly reduced,
and still allows for picking up traffic ahead of the larger aircraft.
They also fly a larger pattern, and where this condition exists
(generally speaking) have control towers on the field to aid in
separation. The 500' vertical separation also helps reduce the risk of
a mid-air.

z