a 45-degree entry to downwind at pattern altitude. COMMUNICATE TO BE UNDERSTOOD Communicating intentions to be understood by other pilots is essential, as not all pilots will understand locations of approach fixes. Using distance and direction from the airport is more understandable by all pilots. Flexjet Director of Safety Tyler Boring, who’s based at Ohio’s Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF), said pilots can set the tone by reaching out on frequency ahead of time for situational awareness. Communicating intentions along with your approach plan helps others on frequency understand. Flight crews can “help the process along by communicating and modifying course as necessary, depending on what is going on in the pattern,” Boring said. by stating your distance from the destination airport and your intentions upon arrival. If you’re flying an approach, say so, Wolzinger said. About 20%-25% of Wolzinger’s operations are at uncontrolled fields. “Blend into the environment as much as you can,” said Wolzinger, by planning to fly at airspeeds consistent with aircraft in the pattern or modifying your approach to lessen the impact on other aircraft in the vicinity. Flying the traffic pattern when possible, and extending the downwind to follow slower aircraft, were also mentioned as tools when operating at an uncontrolled airport, which are all referred to in AC 90-66C. Chapter 14 of the “Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge” also provides reminders for how to enter a visual traffic pattern. In addition, the book offers guidance about when it’s practical to utilize 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12
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