Turns In The Traffic Pattern

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LANDING AT UNCONTROLLED AIRPORTS

- Richie Lengel

LANDING AT AIRPORTS IN CLASS G OR E AIRSPACE — AIRPORTS WITHOUT AN OPERATING CONTROL TOWER:

1. Even pilots on an instrument approach — once they have visual contact with the airport — must follow the regulatory and/ or local rules concerning left or right turns in the traffic pattern at airports without an operating control tower.

2. Aircraft approaching to land at an airport in Class G or E airspace must make all turns to the left unless visual markings or lights (or the chart supplement) indicate right turns.

3. “Straight-in” approaches are permitted and are legal — as long as they do not interfere with other aircraft operating in the appropriate left or right traffic pattern.

4. Generally speaking, an approach is considered to be straight-in if the aircraft is aligned within 30 degrees of the runway centerline at least 5 miles out.

5. However, according to FAA and National Transportation Safety Board decisions, size and speed of the aircraft matter: A Boeing 747 might be in violation if it made a nonstandard turn as far as 6 miles out, while a Piper J-3 Cub might still be considered to be on its cross-country leg at that distance.