Plasmech
16th Apr 2011, 02:39
Hi guys, have a couple of questions about pattern work. I know they may seem really stupid to you pro's out there, but trust me I simply don't know the answers just yet:
1. When to line-up on the active when there is traffic in the pattern. So far, my CFI and I will NOT pass the solid line if there is inbound traffic turning base or closer. If the traffic is turning base or early base, this seems to me like an excessive wait. I have felt myself wanting to turn onto the active and do a rolling take-off more than once. I don't, of course, but I have to admit I have wanted to. Is this simply a BAD "feeling habit" that I have developed way to early in my flying "career"? What is the appropriate inbound pattern traffic go/no go point when sitting at idle on the dashed side of the hold line?
2. Slow aircraft in the pattern. Is it ever appropriate to request permission to pass someone on the right on the downwind leg if not doing so would require a 360, possibly with traffic behind me to content with? Say there's a SLOW piper cub on early downwind and I am too close for comfort behind it, but I also have traffic that just rotated coming up my behind as well. What do I do here?
I hope I do not sound like I am becoming yet another aggressive, a-hole pilot. I just need to be educated in these matters, that's all. ;)
1. When to line-up on the active when there is traffic in the pattern. So far, my CFI and I will NOT pass the solid line if there is inbound traffic turning base or closer. If the traffic is turning base or early base, this seems to me like an excessive wait. I have felt myself wanting to turn onto the active and do a rolling take-off more than once. I don't, of course, but I have to admit I have wanted to. Is this simply a BAD "feeling habit" that I have developed way to early in my flying "career"? What is the appropriate inbound pattern traffic go/no go point when sitting at idle on the dashed side of the hold line?
2. Slow aircraft in the pattern. Is it ever appropriate to request permission to pass someone on the right on the downwind leg if not doing so would require a 360, possibly with traffic behind me to content with? Say there's a SLOW piper cub on early downwind and I am too close for comfort behind it, but I also have traffic that just rotated coming up my behind as well. What do I do here?
I hope I do not sound like I am becoming yet another aggressive, a-hole pilot. I just need to be educated in these matters, that's all. ;)