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Departing a very busy uncontrolled airport

Asked by: 1190 views General Aviation

My question is about how to fit into the pattern for takeoff at a very busy uncontrolled airport.

Traffic on a typical afternoon is comprised of four airplanes in the pattern making closed traffic. When the departing airplane lifts off there is an airplane established on final with insufficient space for a departure. This continues with no break for departing aircraft.

So how to break into this cycle for departure? I've been doing this: (1) Wait for a couple of landings to see if  sufficient spacing develops between the airplane on upwind and the airplane turning base to final, then if no luck  (2) Try to negotiate a long downwind to create a gap.

What suggestions do you CFIs have for departing an impenetrable pattern? Thanks!

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2 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Oct 27, 2022

    You didn’t include any information concerning the airport configuration.

    If the airport has more than one runway, I would use a runway that is not being used by everyone else (of course, not creating a conflict with landing aircraft). I used to do this routinely while doing rides at a WWII museum. E-W runway intersected the N-S runway at the south end. I would take off to the north, do the ride and land to the south. Never created any conflict, although some people in the pattern were of the mistaken opinion that I must use the same runway as they were using.

    Or, fly a helicopter. I could depart from the ramp or taxiway.

    Asking for help from the landing aircraft (as you did) is about the only other solution (if it is a one runway airport).

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  2. Mark Kolber on Oct 27, 2022

    A couple of thoughts come to mind.

    1. Are you really ready to go? My nontowered home base (one runway) tends to get very busy too. Four flight schools/clubs with multiple aircraft, a waiting list for hangars, light GA and Part 91 jet traffic. I often see pilots who in an effort to be extra careful, wait until there is a break before they finish that final check. By the time they are done, the opening is gone.

    2. I find there is almost always an opening. Recognizing it takes a special form of situational awareness. What is the aircraft that has taken off? Is it expected to climb slower or faster than me? If equal or faster, I know I can depart as soon as they are past the departure end of the runway. Same for that airplane which just turned base. or a 3 mile final. (If I am trule ready to go – and no, I am not rushing).

    3. Negotiate. Nothing wrong with transmitting, “Cessna 1234X holding short 10 for departure. Could the downwind traffic extend?”

    That’s the bottom line. When al else fails, Communication – whether or not it fits into the AIM-standard glossary – is key. There have been a lot of discussions surrounding the Watsonville accident where two airplanes ran into each other on final. I’ve listened to the audio several times and while people can argue blame, the single biggest takeaway I got was a failure of communication.

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