Turn onto xwind and final at 500' - why 500'?
Just was thinking on the way back from flying lessons the other day about why we make the turn from upwind to xwind at 500' and not at say 300' or 800'?
I should of asked him there and then, but is it correct to say that the reasons are that 500' gives the standard aeroplane enough time to get the best rate of climb speed and to check that we are tracking on a straight upwind?
And what about landing......why do we turn from base to final so that on final we are at 500'........why is there this general rule and how did they arrive at the number 500'?
Might seem like a pretty silly question, but I always like to know the reasons behind the theory or in this case the numbers!
Thanks all.........
MK