Circuit joining etiquette
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Circuit joining etiquette
What's the general consensus or accepted practice for joining the circuit with no or light traffic? Do folks only do the overhead if it's swarming or do they fly the overhead regardless?
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Always overhead in case some weight shift microlight is screwing around not speaking to anyone on the radio.
It doesn't prevent them cutting you up on finals but at least it gives you a chance to spot them.
It doesn't prevent them cutting you up on finals but at least it gives you a chance to spot them.
Aahh, the 'standard overhead join'! If only it was 'standard'. Some airfields seem to have developed their own joining patterns, no doubt for good reason (gliders, helos, parachutes, local noise, etc.)
Depends a bit on the level of the local Air Traffic Service and the availability of radio. If in doubt, I ask what they would like me to do. If there's no-one around, I check the signal square (if there is one) and join overhead.
If you make contact early enough, it's not normally a problem to arrange a straight-in, base leg or downwind join.
Depends a bit on the level of the local Air Traffic Service and the availability of radio. If in doubt, I ask what they would like me to do. If there's no-one around, I check the signal square (if there is one) and join overhead.
If you make contact early enough, it's not normally a problem to arrange a straight-in, base leg or downwind join.
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I check with the ground that there is no reported traffic, in which case I’ll join on the most convenient circuit leg (which at my base is standard if there are aeros in the overhead). Otherwise, the published join.
Do as requested by the aerodrome operator. It doesn't get any simpler.
But as not many fields require having radio, let alone using it, it is indeed wise to look out for those flying without speaking out. Even where radio is mandatory, there may be a plane with the radio broken, or accidentally tuned incorrectly (been there, done that - until I began to see planes in the circuit and not hearing from them).
But as not many fields require having radio, let alone using it, it is indeed wise to look out for those flying without speaking out. Even where radio is mandatory, there may be a plane with the radio broken, or accidentally tuned incorrectly (been there, done that - until I began to see planes in the circuit and not hearing from them).
Circuit joining "etiquette"
Another rule is that all turns within the ATZ are to the left unless ground signals or the ground station indicates otherwise.
Depends a bit on the level of the local Air Traffic Service and the availability of radio. If in doubt, I ask what they would like me to do.
That said however you join keep a good lookout and listen out to build/maintain situational awareness.
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To be honest these days I wouldn't trust what's in it with an apparently empty airfield of traffic.
You have no way of knowing if it was updated 10 mins ago or 2 weeks ago.
As Perth has been mentioned I had a case there where I had landed on the into wind runway and on the roll out spotted a weight shift microlight turning finals in the opposite direction at about 200 ft. Slammed the breaks on to come to a stop and pulled the mixture at the side of the runway. He wasn't talking on the radio, Scottish info had no clue that he was about. He landed anyway.
The subsequent discussion he wouldn't hear anything that he was in the wrong and shouldn't have landed. One of the locals said he was more than likely on fumes. I believe he is now dead after smacking into Scottish mountain.
You have no way of knowing if it was updated 10 mins ago or 2 weeks ago.
As Perth has been mentioned I had a case there where I had landed on the into wind runway and on the roll out spotted a weight shift microlight turning finals in the opposite direction at about 200 ft. Slammed the breaks on to come to a stop and pulled the mixture at the side of the runway. He wasn't talking on the radio, Scottish info had no clue that he was about. He landed anyway.
The subsequent discussion he wouldn't hear anything that he was in the wrong and shouldn't have landed. One of the locals said he was more than likely on fumes. I believe he is now dead after smacking into Scottish mountain.
I once met traffic coming the other way as I was downwind
"I learnt about flying from that!"
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Circuit joining procedures
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Most Aeroclubs and airfields have written standard operating procedures. Members of the Scottish Aero Club at Perth are required to sign annually to say they have read them. They are also available on line.
There are some interesting little nuggets of information which are worth digesting. There is also the AIP as a last resort.
#Airpolice, I sympathise with you. We can make the information available but we cannot guarantee that pilots will act on it.
There are some interesting little nuggets of information which are worth digesting. There is also the AIP as a last resort.
#Airpolice, I sympathise with you. We can make the information available but we cannot guarantee that pilots will act on it.
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Ahhh, Perth! Took a student there a while ago for some experience away from base. Planned for an OHJ and as we did so it became clear the "runway in use" was 33 but there was a solo student (not cleared for grass) taking off from 03 to depart to the east from the overhead on a navex and a microlight opting to depart from 27. We managed to let the departing student climb safely through our level in the overhead then positioned for 03 (my student also not checked out on grass), avoiding the 27 departure. As we called final 03 so did someone else for 33 - on a constant bearing to our right. A game of chicken then ensued, which we lost by going around (but TBH I'm not convinced the other guy was playing - the evidence pointed to him being blissfully unaware of our presence).
All good clean fun although my student wasn't as amused as I was
All good clean fun although my student wasn't as amused as I was
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They were so far behind the aircraft that if it had crashed they would be all right as they were a mile behind it!
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