Pattern Entry Guidance

The right-hand diagram on page 32 (July 2018) depicting an alternate midfield entry when approaching from the side opposite the traffic pattern was (and I believe still is) the standard approach taught across Canada when I began flying over 50 years ago. When approaching from the same side of the traffic pattern, we were taught to enter downwind parallel to, slightly wider and slightly further upwind than usual, rather than the 45-degree entry in the U.S. The preferred entry (left-hand diagram) involves a short period where you are blind to everything that may be happening in the pattern and thus may pose unnecessary risk.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 20, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The new FAA Advisory Circular (AC 90-66B) proposing a midfield pattern entry has generated controversy, with one pilot criticizing it as unsafe and confusing, particularly at busy non-towered airports.
Another pilot countered by noting that a similar midfield entry, especially when approaching from the side opposite the traffic pattern, has been standard practice in Canada for over 50 years and can be safer than the U.S. 45-degree entry.
Separately, it was clarified that weight-and-balance documents are required onboard aircraft under FAR 91.9, as they are considered part of the operating limitations specified in the Airplane Flight Manual.

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Well, the new FAA advisory on pattern entry (AC 90-66B, “Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations,” Quick Turns, June 2018) is about as lame as they come when it proposes a “safe” pattern entry at midfield at pattern altitude. I thought that the FAA was really concerned about air safety close to the airport, but I guess I was way out in left field, or pattern.

Okay, so what is the Nordo pilot, the missed approach aircraft or the low approach going to do when they get this surprise? This is assuming no one ever misses a radio call, misunderstands the altitude of the mid-pattern entry, or simply is doing everything correctly, but the other pilot crossing doesn’t yield by “not upsetting the normal flow of the pattern,” as noted in the Aeronautical Information Manual for any non-standard entry.