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What is a modified base in the pattern?

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Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Today I was in the pattern at a local airport and heard an inbound pilot of a jet announce he was on a "modified" right base. What is a modified base and when is it used?

Thanks

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2 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Aug 03, 2014

    91.126 requires that airplanes make all turns to the left when approaching an airport to land,(unless there are markings indicating right turns are to be made). This regulation pertains to airports in class G airspace. It is incorporated by reference into 91.127, 91.129, 91.130 and 91.131 (Class E, D, C and B airports).

    I’m going to make a guess that the normal traffic pattern at your airport uses left turns. The only time right traffic can be used is if there are markings on the airport indicating that pilots are to make right hand traffic for a given runway.

    What the jet pilot was doing was illegal and his terminology (modified right base) is an attempt to make the illegal action sound legitimate.

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  2. mmosier1 on Aug 03, 2014

    Kris, you are correct. Normal traffic pattern is left turns.

    Thanks for the response.

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