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Training Scenarios Violate Regulations

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FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

We train pilots for flying in remote regions. There are several scenarios which violate normal pattern protocols, e.g., (1) preparing students for right-hand patterns, (2) certain high-performance aircraft, the safest departure pattern is non-standard. Common sense says we can train pilots for scenarios, but is there a statute that applies? Declare an emergency and you can do whatever is required, including violating the reg's. Is there a similar statute somewhere that says one can violate the reg's in order to train for real-life situations? (Note: we're not talking about unsafe or foolish flying, we're talking about controlled situations, e.g. flying practice right-hand patterns at a low-traffic, class G airport and the like.)

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2 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Sep 23, 2013

    There is no fine print in 91.126 which allows an airplane to fly a non-standard approach.
    There is also no wording at all concerning a departure path.

    If you need to teach someone how to fly a right hand pattern, why can’t you either find a nearby airport with a right hand pattern or go to a towered airport where you can fly a right hand pattern.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Sep 24, 2013

    Agree with Kris. And I don’t understand – you say you’re training pilots for remote areas but you’re already so remote you can’t find a nearby towered or right pattern airport?

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