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4 Answers

Traffic pattern entry at uncontrolled field

Asked by: 2369 views General Aviation

On the surface, this may seem like a simple question, and maybe it is. I am a private rated pilot, but NONE of my instruction was at uncontrolled fields. Today though, I am on my own, and my plane is based at an uncontrolled field, so I'd really like to learn the specifics in regards to proper procedures for traffic pattern entry. Specifically, my field has no automated weather, so overflying to look at the windsock is a must.

So I guess first, let's describe the field. It's one runway, 09-27, with one windsock at midfield on the north side of the runway. The windsock is not visible (Due to obstructions) unless you're pretty much on top of it. This means that I cannot figure out the wind direction without overflying the field. The runways are both standard left traffic patterns.

90% of the time, I arrive from the north, and 75% of the time, the wind is favoring runway 09. I have read countless articles and looked at many diagrams that illustrate how to overfly the field and enter the pattern, and I grasp some of it. If arriving from the north, I would need to overfly the field at 1000 AGL so that I can spot the windsock. If arriving from the south, same thing. Overfly at 1000 AGL, spot the wind. Where I get confused is on actually entering the pattern. I understand how to enter the downwind of the side I'm on - For example, let's say I'm arriving from the south and the wind is favoring 09 - I'd overfly, then continue northbound a bit before doing a right 180 and entering on a 45 for the downwind leg for 09. I get that. But what if the wind is instead favoring 27? What is the proper method to get onto the downwind for 27? Do I need to overfly yet again, this time north to south and do the same type of entry?

I'm asking this because overflying makes me uncomfortable (Probably because it was never demonstrated to me), and it feels wrong to spend so much time above the field. None of the diagrams I've seen illustrate how to enter the pattern if you're on the wrong side of the runway for the current wind conditions.

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4 Answers



  1. RobA61 on Jul 02, 2020

    There is an advisory circular that will make great reading material and answer most of your questions. The FAA releases these “non-regulatory” docs to help dig deeper into items like these, and provide some more commentary on very-common aviation topics that aren’t necessarily a regulation.

    AC 90-66 covers operations at non-towered airports.

    https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac_90-66b.pdf

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  2. KDS on Jul 02, 2020

    Just a word of caution to add.

    Many years ago, AOPA tried to get pilots standardized on this question. They started by asking people to comment on what the “right” way to do it was. There were more different answers than there are colors in the rainbow. Add to that the fact that once people learn something, right or wrong, they will stick to it and continue with that way.

    Then there is the matter of traffic pattern altitudes. I have seen signs at FBO’s stating what the TPA is when the FAA’s publication clearly says something different. Years ago, AOPA used to send questionnaires to airport managers asking things like TPA and publish it in their Airport Directory. It was often different than what was in the FAA publication. They stopped doing that. I assume it was too much of a liability risk. Now they just regurgitate the FAA’s data. Then there is a big chunk of the pilot population who fly the traffic pattern at “this looks about right” altitude.

    Finally there is the matter of the traffic pattern itself. Who hasn’t had the experience of looking at another aircraft WAY over there only to find out he is flying what is often called a B-52 traffic pattern.

    So, no matter how well read you are, no matter how religiously you follow the guidance, no matter what, be cautious of the other guy.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Jul 03, 2020

    It sounds like you have read the appropriate material and understand the concepts intellectually. But if your training and experience has been limited to primarily towered airports, it’s no surprise you feel uncomfortable at nontowered ones.

    There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain with instruction to do *anything* which is a normal part of flight operations but with which you have little experience and about which you feel uncomfortable.

    I’d seriously recommend grabbing an instructor and making a point to fly to several nontowered fields, especially ones the instructor knows tend to be busy. Maybe even include a pancake breakfast.

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  4. Warren Webb Jr on Jul 11, 2020

    When you fly overhead, fly 500′ above the highest traffic pattern. A lot of airports have a 1500′ agl pattern for higher performance aircraft so at those 2000′ agl is recommended. For your entry to runway 29 from the north side of the runway, the preferred entry is shown in Figure 7-4-A in the Airplane Flying Handbook. The graphic makes it look like the turn into the downwind is really close to the downwind – don’t do it exactly like it looks. As is said in the paragraph above it, fly well clear of the pattern (in your case to the south) – approximately 2 miles – scan carefully for traffic, descend to pattern altitude, then turn right to enter at 45 degrees to the downwind leg at midfield.
    https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/media/09_afh_ch7.pdf

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