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Old 16th September 2015 | 05:02
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pattern_is_full
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Denver
San Juan, Puerto Rico's smaller airport (TJIG) has two patterns, even for same-category aircraft (or at least, light GA planes and the ubiquitous Islanders can use either, with ATC approval).

The normal pattern at 1000 AGL has to be flown wide and at an angle out over the Atlantic Ocean (downwind), and then base over the harbor mouth, to avoid a restricted "historic" area over the Old City peninsula that would fall beneath a normal pattern.

See: http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/w...leta-Plans.png

So there is an optional "inner pattern" at 600 feet, over the shipping channel adjacent to the runway - the Canal San Antonio or San Antonio Channel.

Both patterns are on the north, but separated laterally (obviously), and the inner pattern is lower because there is less distance/time to lose altitude on tight base and short final.

The inner pattern tracks over cargo and cruise ship docks, which, as cruise ships especially have grown in height in this century, can get - interesting. But large ships maneuvering in the harbor have always been a "feature" on final anyway.
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