Vertically separated circuits

[ATCO Too]

Hi does anyone know of an airfield that operates VFR circuits on the same side but split vertically? E.g. One set of a/c at say 700 feet and another set at 1500 feet.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I can't think of any currently doing this but have seen it. Typically something like 600ft helicopters, 800ft microlights, 1200ft aeroplanes - but with lateral /longitudinal separation also mandatory and everybody to fly the same circuit time. One aircraft overhead another, or overtaking in the circuit was certainly prohibited where I have seen this.

G

[High_Expect]

Military often do it when mixing Fast Jet and piston/slow moving. Leuchars used to do it and I know Cranwell still do.

[BEagle]

I'm sure we did that at Cranfield in 1968.

The College of Aeronautics 'cloth bombers' flew circuits to the grass RW inside our Bedfordshire Air Centre C150s on the hard RW, but I can't recall whether the circuits were at different heights.

[Trim Stab]

Hi does anyone know of an airfield that operates VFR circuits on the same side but split vertically? E.g. One set of a/c at say 700 feet and another set at 1500 feet.

Cannes-Mandelieu. VFR SEPs at 1000ft agl, VFR MEPs at 1500ft, IFR traffic (plus VFR jets) at 1800ft. Also, helicopters at 800ft on the cross-runway.

[Dusty_B]

Enstone: Microlight/Venture Cct 600', everything else 800'.
Brize: Light Aircraft 1000', big stuff 1500'.

[alexbrett]

Cambridge has heli circuits at 700', single at 1000', and twin/jet at 1500' (with the heli circuit being entirely inside the fixed wing one as well so no conflicts on takeoff / landing).

[chrisbl]

Currently Blackbushe operates with Singles at 800' and twins and Jets at 1200', both to the south.

[wannabepilot1991]

I have done such a circuit while I ws training for PPL in South Africa.

It was a rare occasion coz the weather was below minima for VFR operation in general flying area hence I was practicing my Precautionary landings over the aerodrome at 500 ft agl while other folks were 1000 agl doing their usual circuits, all in same pattern and for same runway.:):cool::D

[HeliRotor]

EGBP Kemble
Helicopter 700Ft
Fixed Wing 100Ft

[robin]

EGBP Kemble
Helicopter 700Ft
Fixed Wing 100Ft

I always thought I was flying the Kemble circuit too high. 100' sounds much more like it...

[chevvron]

Fairoaks helis 800ft QNH and f/w 1100ft QNH.
Farnborough a/c up to 2730 KG 1200ft , a/c above that 1700ft.