Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Preface
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Chapter 1, Introduction To Flying
Chapter 2, Aircraft Structure
Chapter 3, Principles of Flight
Chapter 4, Aerodynamics of Flight
Chapter 5,
Flight Controls
Chapter 6,
Aircraft Systems
Chapter 7,
Flight Instruments
Chapter 8, Flight Manuals and Other Documents
Chapter 9,
Weight and Balance
Chapter 10, Aircraft Performance
Chapter 11, Weather Theory
Chapter 12,
Aviation Weather Services
Chapter 13,
Airport Operation
Chapter 14,
Airspace
Chapter 15, Navigation
Chapter 16, Aeromedical Factors
Chapter 17, Aeronautical Decision Making
Appendix
Glossary
Index |
Figure 13-13. Segmented circle.
Traffic Patterns
At those airports without an operating control tower, a
segmented circle visual indicator system [Figure 13-13], if
installed, is designed to provide traffic pattern information.
Usually located in a position affording maximum visibility
to pilots in the air and on the ground and providing a
centralized location for other elements of the system, the
segmented circle consists of the following components: wind
direction indicators, landing direction indicators, landing strip
indicators, and traffic pattern indicators.
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 ground level (AGL). Pilots can
obtain the traffic pattern altitude for an airport from the A/FD.
Also, traffic pattern altitudes for military turbojet aircraft
sometimes extend up to 2,500 feet AGL. Therefore, pilots
of en route aircraft should be constantly on the alert for other
aircraft in traffic patterns and avoid these areas whenever
possible. When operating at an airport, traffic pattern
altitudes should be maintained unless otherwise required
by the applicable distance from cloud criteria in Title 14 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) section 91.155.
Additional information on airport traffic pattern operations
can be found in Chapter 4, Air Traffic Control, of the AIM.
Pilots can find traffic pattern information and restrictions
such as noise abatement in the A/FD. |
Example: Key to Traffic Pattern Operations—
Single Runway
1. Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint
of the runway, at pattern altitude. (1,000' AGL) is
recommended pattern altitude unless established
otherwise.)
2. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam approach end of
the landing runway on downwind leg.
3. Complete turn to final at least ¼ mile from the
runway.
4. Continue straight ahead until beyond departure end
of runway.
5. If remaining in the traffic pattern, commence turn to
crosswind leg beyond the departure end of the runway
within 300 feet of pattern altitude.
6. If departing the traffic pattern, continue straight out,
or exit with a 45° turn (to the left when in a left-hand
traffic pattern; to the right when in a right-hand traffic
pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway, after
reaching pattern altitude. [Figure 13-14]
Example: Key to Traffic Pattern Operations—
Parallel Runways
1. Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint
of the runway, at pattern altitude. (1,000' AGL is
recommended pattern altitude unless established
otherwise.)
2. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam approach end of
the landing runway on downwind leg.
3. Complete turn to final at least ¼ mile from the
runway.
4. Continue straight ahead until beyond departure end
of runway.
5. If remaining in the traffic pattern, commence turn to
crosswind leg beyond the departure end of the runway
within 300 feet of pattern altitude.
6. If departing the traffic pattern, continue straight out,
or exit with a 45° turn (to the left when in a left-hand
traffic pattern; to the right when in a right-hand traffic
pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway, after
reaching pattern altitude.
7. Do not overshoot final or continue on a track which
penetrates the final approach of the parallel runway.
8. Do not continue on a track which penetrates the departure
path of the parallel runway. [Figure 13-15] |
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