joining the traffic pattern quandary

John,

In the scenario you list (KHGR), you correctly state that the
controller issued a reporting instruction, and not a pattern entry
instruction. Given that, yes technically you should go over to the
other side and enter on the 45. However, the fact that he asked you to
report on 3 mi left base makes it pretty clear that a normal pattern is
not what he expects, because unless you are flying a B52, nowhere in a
normal pattern will you be on a 3 mile left base.

If a controller said that to me in the situation you present, I would
have a stong suspicion that he is confused as to where I am, or he
misspoke. That would be a great time to query the controller with
something like 'I am in position for a right base, is that what you
meant?' or some such. I have in fact done this many times, and the
controller almost universally replies with 'oh yeah sorry enter on
right base, cessna xxxx.'

Most inspectors are respectable. But, for a few, respectable is a
subordinate value to 'being right.' Once they have filed on you, they
do not want to suffer the embarrassment of being shown to have been
'wrong.' From that point forward they will resort to every dirty trick
in the book to 'get' you on *something.* They will twist the regs,
make up stuff, change the basis for the violation in the middle of the
conversation, etc.

Yes, at a towered field. If the controllers at your field are saying
"enter left traffic" and thereby mean "by whatever means and at
whatever point you feel is best," that's fine, but you really ought to
clairfy that with the tower manager before you assume that is their
meaning. If it is, you will never run into a problem at *that* tower.

I can tell you that at my home field there is a spot listed by the FAA
task force on preventing midairs at the location where the crosswind
meets the downwind, and it is identified as a 'hot spot' for NMACs
(Near Mid Air Collisions) in the local area. The task force manager
told me (personally) that the problem at this location was people
coming in from the south (lined up for a downwind entry) and
mis-interpreting the clearance "enter right traffic" in the manner that
you are doing. They drive on straight ahead and enter the downwind
instead of going out and entering on the 45. They have NMACs with
people who have been given a right crosswind departure by the tower.

If the tower intends for you to enter via any manner but the 45, he is
supposed to specify it. If he doesn't you are supposed to go do the
45. If there is any doubt, you need to get it clarified.
Regards,

Gene