visual contact with other traffic

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
ink.net:


"Judah" wrote in message
. ..

It's not. I thought my correction was pretty clear.


Sorry, it was. I meant to write, " Where is it stated in the AIM,
Advisory Circular No.90-66A, or the Pilot/Controller Glossary, that
entering on a crosswind is not recommended?"

Huh? You're playing word games. The absence of a recommendation is the
absence of a recommendation. This is not an approach plate.

Where is a Crosswind entry recommended?

Why do you personally believe it not to be safer than entering as
advised in the quoted sources?

Because I used to assume that most pilots do their best to fly according
to the recommendations made in the official sources, even when they are
not regulated, and violations are not punitive. I additionally assumed
that the recommendations were made for improved safety. I assumed based on
this that at an uncontrolled field in VFR conditions, most planes will be
at or near the same altitude and in the same direction on the downwind
leg. I have read and experienced that maximum visibility is found between
planes at or near the same altitude. My minimal understanding of physics
would allow me to deduce that two planes flying in the same direction have
more reaction time than if two planes flying in opposite directions, or
even perpendicular to one another. More reaction time, in my opinion,
would seem to be an enhancement to safety.

During an entry to the crosswind leg, however, one would cross the
departure end of the runway, presumably at or near pattern altitude. The
AIM, in line 8 of the example of section 4-3-3 specifically recommends
against penetrating the departure path of an active runway, yet entering
on a Crosswind leg would seem to do so. Section 4-3-3 also recommends that
departure be made straight out or at a 45* angle from the upwind leg.
Because different planes climb at different speeds, and since there are no
specific recommendations as to what altitude to be at before beginning
your 45* departure turn, it would seem very challenging to identify a
plane in the upwind or on departure as you enter the crosswind, as it
would likely be at a different altitude than you.

Furthermore, it would seem to me that fewer planes will be in a position
to pose a risk to you in the downwind entry than in the crosswind entry.
The risk is identical for both entries with respect to other planes coming
in on the same entry, as well as other planes coming in on a straight-in
final approach. Both planes also have a nearly equal risk of planes
already on the downwind (you still may have traffic in front of you when
turning downwind from a crosswind). In the crosswind entry, you have
additional risk for traffic that departs prior to the downwind leg, ie:
that departs straight out or at a 45* angle to the upwind leg. You also
have additional risk from planes that do a go around, and are displaced
from the threshold of the runway as they climb out. The latter two are
lower risk to a plane on a 45* downwind entry, at least with respect to
the pattern.

If everyone is following the recommendations of the AIM, it would seem to
me that the recommendation of the AIM is the safest method for entry into
a VFR traffic pattern.

Based on this thread, not to mention the vehemence with which I have been
flamed for my opinions, however, I am starting to suspect that there are
many pilots who don't follow the AIM recommendations, so I guess all bets
are off. I'm also starting to wonder how many people might violate CFR
Regulations if it might save them 2 minutes and they felt they wouldn't
get caught.

Heck! Why even have a traffic pattern? Just plop right down on the runway
from wherever you are? Wait! Why use the runway? There's a taxiway that's
right in line with your flight path - just land on that? Hey - the parking
ramp is deep enough that you could make it with a good short-field
approach - just pull right into your spot! Those helicopters do it all the
time, I bet you can too!

"karl gruber" wrote in
:

Show me those "Official rules"

Official recommendations. For the rest of the rantings, follow the thread.

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
nk.net:

Entering on a crosswind requires no authorization.

Nor is it recommended in any FAA publication that I am aware of.

Entering on a 45-degree angle to the Downwind leg requires no authorization
either, but it is recommended in the "Aeronautical Information Manual,
Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures" in Chapter 4,
Section 3.

Details can be found at the following link:

http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/Chap4/aim0403.html

Judah wrote in news:Xns984782555B8C4Judahnospamnet@
69.28.186.158:

that departs straight out or at a 45* angle to the upwind leg. You also
have additional risk from planes that do a go around, and are displaced
from the threshold of the runway as they climb out. The latter two are

correction: displaced from the centerline

I will try to prepare better for the incoming flames for my error.