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Bruce_Williams Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 1. "RE: Wide (way out) Patterns..." 03-19-03, 18:33z  You've touched on one of my favorite--or should I say least favorite--subjects. It seems the standard traffic pattern has been expanding at an increasing rate lately. Unfortunately, the situation you describe is very common. One pilot flying a wide pattern can throw off the entire parade. Although engine failures in the traffic pattern are rare, flying a reasonably tight pattern makes good sense. It keeps the traffic close to the airport, makes more efficient use of the available airspace, and cuts down on noise complaints from the neighbors. Unfortunately, unless you're in very clear communication with the other pilot, you should follow the airplane ahead of you. Being inside another airplane in the traffic pattern isn't a good idea. Good airmanship means being able to adjust to changing conditions. I don't encourage pilots to discuss flying technique over the CTAF, but perhaps you can drop a hint by saying something like: "Podunk Traffic, Cessna 123 is on the upwind runway 36, and I'll be flying a tigher pattern on the next circuit. Podunk Traffic." In the meantime, you can encourage folks to review the AIM (4-1-9), the Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA 8083-3), AC 90-66A If you're an AOPA member, you read some of these documents (and few other handy references) online: http://www.aopa.org/members/files/ac/ac90-66a.txt http://www.aopa.org/asf/safety_topics.html#airport http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/2001/noise0108.html http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=4082 http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/1995/pc9512.html http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=471 Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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Subject      Author      Message Date     ID      Wide (way out) Patterns...    DHamblin       03-19-03              RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    Bruce_Williams       03-19-03       1            RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    DHamblin       03-20-03       2                 RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    Ben_Chiu       03-22-03       3                      RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    jerryrosie       04-09-03       4                           RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    DHamblin       04-09-03       5                           RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    Ben_Chiu       04-09-03       6                                RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    jerryrosie       04-12-03       7                                     RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    Ben_Chiu       04-12-03       8                                          RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    jerryrosie       04-13-03       9                                               RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    ChrisBebensee       07-17-09       11         RE: Wide (way out) Patterns...    jhayes_tucson       09-23-07       10

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