4-53 TRAFFIC PATTERNS
At most airports and military air bases, traffic pattern altitudes for propeller-driven aircraft generally extend from 600 feet to as high as 1,500 feet above the ground.... Therefore, pilots of enroute aircraft should be constantly on the alert for other aircraft in the traffic patterns and avoid these areas whenever possible. Traffic pattern altitudes should be maintained unless otherwise required by the applicable distance from cloud criteria (FAR 91.155)
Right traffic indicators
At night or any other time, an orange light on top of the wind sock.
The white traffic pattern indicators at right angles to the landing strip indicators show that a right turn is required. Traffic pattern indicators may be installed on or near the end of the runway.
Question
1. Discuss the structure of a typical Class B Airspace. Use VFR Area chart; AIM Chapter 3
Answer
1. AIM 3-2-2. Class B Airspace
a. Class B airspace consists of controlled airspace extending upward from the surface or higher to 10,000, within which all aircraft are subject to the operating rules and pilot/equipment requirements specified in FAR 91. Each location includes at least one primary airport around with the Class B airspace is located. Descriptions of Class B airspace can be found in FAR 71
b. Class B airspace is charted on Sectional, World Aeronautical, En route low Altitude, DOD FLIPS and Terminal Area Charts.
AIM 3-2-2. Class B OPERATION
a. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements.
REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS, AN ATC AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OPERATING WITHIN CLASS B AIRSPACE. Pilots should not request an authorization to operate within a Class B unless the requirements of FAR 91.215 and Far 91. 131 are met. Included among these requirements are:
1. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft must be equipped with an operable two-way radio capable of communication with ATC on frequencies for that terminal control area.
2. No person may takeoff or land a civil aircraft at an airport within a Class B airspace or operate within Class B airspace unless:
(a) pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate;
(b) aircraft is operated by a student pilot who has met the requirements of FAR 61.95 (endorsement requirement);
(c) the following primary airports, no person may takeoff or land a civil aircraft unless the pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate. SAN FRANCISCO ...
4. Each aircraft must be equipped as follows:
(a) two-way radio capable of communications with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that area.
(b) IFR operations, an operable VOR or TACAN receiver.
(c) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting equipment.
(b) Flight Procedures.
1. IFR Flights. ...
2. VFR Flights must remain clear of clouds and 3 mile visibility.
(a) ARRIVING AIRCRAFT MUST OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION PRIOR TO ENTERING A Class B AND MUST CONTACT ATC ON THE APPROPRIATE FREQUENCY, and in relation to geographical fixes showing on local charts. Although a pilot may be operating beneath the floor of the Class B airspace on initial contact, communications, with ATC should be established in relation to the points indicated for spacing and sequencing purposes.
(b) Departing aircraft require a clearance to depart the Class B airspace and should advise the clearance delivery position of their intended altitude and route of flight. ATC will normally advise VFR aircraft when leaving the geographical limits of the Class B. Radar service is not automatically terminated unless specifically stated by the controller.
(c) Aircraft not landing or departing the primary airport may obtain ATC clearance to transit the Class B when traffic conditions permit and provides the requirements of FAR 91.1131 are met. Such VFR aircraft are encouraged, to the extent possible, to operate at altitudes above or below the TCA or transit through established VFR corridors,. Pilots operating in VFR corridors should use frequency 122.75 mHz for the exchange of information.
(d) VFR aircraft not cleared into the Class B airspace are cautioned against operating too closely to Class B boundaries, especially where the floor of the Class B is 3,000 feet or less or where VFR cruise altitudes are at or near the floor of higher levels. Observance of this precaution will reduce the potential for encountering an aircraft operating at Class B floor altitudes. Additionally, VFR aircraft are encouraged to utilize the VFR Planning Chart as a tool for planning flight in proximity to Class B airspace. Charted VFR Flyway Planning charts are published on the back of the existing VFR Terminal Area Charts.
c. ATC Clearances and Separation
AN ATC AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED TO ENTER AND OPERATE WITHIN CLASS B AIRSPACE. VFR pilots are provided sequencing and separation from other aircraft while operating within Class B airspace. (SEE AIM 4-16)
1. VFR aircraft are separated from all VFR/IFR aircraft which weight 19,000 pounds or less by a minimum of:
(a) Target resolution, or
(b) 500 feet vertical separation, or
(c) Visual separation.
2. VFR aircraft are separated from all VFR/IFR aircraft which weigh more than 42,000 pounds and turbojets by no less than:
(a) 1 and 1/2 miles lateral separation, or
(b) 500 feet vertical separation, or
(c) Visual separation.
3. This program is not to be interpreted as relieving pilots of their responsibilities to see and avoid other traffic operating in basic VFR weather conditions, to adjust their operations and flight path as necessary to preclude serious wake encounters, to maintain appropriate terrain and obstruction clearances, or to remain in weather conditions equal to or better than the minimums requires by FAR 91.155. Approach control should be advised and a revised clearance or instruction obtained when compliance with an assigned route, heading and/or altitude is likely to compromise pilot responsibility with respect to terrain and obstruction clearance, vortex exposure, and weather minimums.
4. ATC may assign altitudes to VFR aircraft that do not conform to FAR 91.159. "Resume Appropriate VFR Altitudes" will be broadcast when the altitude assignment is no longer needed for separation or when leaving the Class B airspace. Pilots must return to an altitude that conforms to FAR 91.159 as soon as practicable.
Question
1. Define Class D Airspace as it exists around an airport with tower operating and closed. AIM 3-2-5; FAR 91.127, 91.129 MORE
Answer
1. Standard Dimensions ____radius, up to but not including ____
FAR 91.127, 91.129 AIM 3-2-5, 91.127 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport: General rules
(a) Unless otherwise required by part 93 of this chapter, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport shall comply with the requirements of this section and, if applicable, of Sec. 91.129
(b) Each person operating an aircraft to or from an airport without an operating control tower shall -
(1) In the case of an airplane approaching to land, make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot shall make all turns to the right;
(3) In the case of an aircraft departing the airport, comply with any traffic patterns established for that airport in part 93.
(c) Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft within an airport traffic area except for the purpose of landing at, or taking off from, an airport within that area....
91.129 Operation at airports with operating control towers
(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, each person operating an aircraft to, from, or on an airport with an operating control tower shall comply with the applicable provisions of this section
(b) Communications with control towers operated by the United States.
No person may, within an airport traffic area operate an aircraft to, from, or on an airport having a control tower operated by the United States unless two-way radio communications are maintained between that aircraft and the control tower. However, if the aircraft radio fails in flight, the pilot in command may operate that aircraft and land if weather conditions are at or above basic VFR weather minimums, visual contact with the tower is maintained, and a clearance to land is received....
(c) Communications with other control towers. No person may, within an airport traffic area, operate an aircraft to, from, or on an airport having a control tower that is operated by any person other than the United States unless - (Example: North Las Vegas has NFCT)
(1) If that aircraft's radio equipment so allows, two-way radio communications are maintained between the aircraft and the tower; or
(2) If that aircraft's radio equipment allows only reception from the tower, the pilot has the tower's frequency monitored.
(d) Minimum altitudes. when operating to an airport with an operating control tower, each pilot of -
(3) an airplane approaching to land on a runway served by a visual approach indicator shall maintain an altitude at or above the glide slope until a lower altitude is necessary for a safe landing....
(e) Approaches. When approaching to land at an airport with an operating control tower, each pilot of -
(1) an airplane shall circle to the left; and ...
(f) Departures. No person may operate an aircraft taking off from an airport with an operating control tower expect in compliance with the following:
(1) Each pilot shall comply with any departure procedures established for that airport by the FAA.
(h) Clearances required. No person may, at an airport with an operating control tower, operate an aircraft on a runway or taxiway, or take off or land an aircraft, unless an appropriate clearance is received from ATC. A clearance to "taxi to" the takeoff runway assigned to the aircraft is not a clearance to cross that assigned takeoff runway or to taxi on that runway at any point, but is a clearance to cross other runways that intersect the taxi route to that assigned takeoff runway. A clearance to "taxi to" any point other than an assigned takeoff runway is a clearance to cross all runways that intersect the taxi route to that point.
(X) Readback required. Ground control is required to obtain a complete read back from the pilot of any taxi clearances which include the word "hold".
Class D Airspace
C. FAR 91.129 requires that unless otherwise authorized by ATC, a pilot operating to or from an airport served by an operating control tower must maintain two-way radio communications with the control tower while in the airport Class D surface area which includes the movement areas of that airport. FAR 91.117 sets the maximum indicated airspeed for operations in an airport traffic area at 200 knots.
Questions for discussion with instructor
1. How are License/medical expiration dates determined?.
2. How do you use the VOR to intercept a course?
3. How do you use the following Airspace?
Visibility/cloud clearances in controlled airspace,
Visibility/cloud clearances in uncontrolled airspace,
SVFR and in Class Delta airspace
4. What is the procedure for NTSB notification for incidents/accidents?
5. How do you plan a cross-country flight?
How to flight plan the navigation?
How to get and plan around weather?
How to get a weather briefing?
How to compute altitudes/fuel/ weight & balance?
6. What are the procedures for operating in, over and under Class C airspace
7. How do you compute TAS/ETA/GS while flying?
8. How will you plot a NEW course GS/ETA if diverted to another airport
9. Do you know definitions of IAS/CAS/TAS and how to find or calculate?
10. How do you interpret segmented circle and pattern arms at uncontrolled airports?
11. How do you perform slow flight and stalls under the hood?
12. How do you spiral down over point from altitude holding constant airspeed, turn radius, with 40 degree maximum bank and completing exercise in position for emergency landing?
13. How do you make "Constant altitude turns" at 45 degree bank?
14. What is the 'magic' of 1500 AGL while performing stalls?.
15. Can you use only 30 minutes to plan cross country to maximum range of aircraft?
16. What are the ways to file a flight plan?
17. 17. How do you reverse course during ground reference without getting out of position?
18. How do you used your checklist in an emergency with demonstrated forced landing?
19. Do you use an after takeoff checklist?
20.Did you know that at one time any turn to final may not be less than 1/4 mile from runway?
21. Can you make a normal touchdown beyond but within 400' of point selected?
22. Short field within 200'?
23. How do you use the aircraft manual? See Manual.
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