Wouldn't a change in the size of a circuit pattern just involve more NIMBY's...who would add to the other ones that hadn't realised that traffic was no longer over their particular BY's - this may increase the number of NIMBY's.

(Just a passing thought).

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Hunting is bad!!
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OK everyone.....Generally speaking there is no enthusiasm for change.

I'll admit the original idea was half baked, but was meant to stimulate some thought to a problem that won't go away. Our flying practices, at least in GA have been entrenched now for decades and it'll take some serious thought on all sides to arrive at a compromise that will appease all. At the moment there appears to be a deepening gulf between us the flyers, and them, the complainers.

As many have said, the biggest noise is on t/o and climb out, and there's precious little we can do about that, at least on the operations front.

So, do we need to change.....?

I think so, but also I think we ought to open some sort of dialogue with the more reasonable of the complainers (if there are any). At the moment the whingers have the upper hand, and ever more airfields are under threat. If just one threatened airfield can survive by adopting something radical, such as a triangular circuit at 1500 to a final glide, then it'll be worth it.......... http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif

On the subject of square v oval ccts and lookout suffering etc I know whih one I prefer.

The point of engine failure in the cct is a valid one. Why fly so far from the airfield that an engine failure could put you into a built up area. You could quite easily glide back to the airfield from a tight pattern and therefor stand a much better chance of walking away from it!

Secondly the bigger your ccts then the more NIMBY's you overfly and cause complaint. They are becoming ever more powerful so why give them ammo?

Thirdly with the cost of fuel these days its just going to cost you more. Less fun for your quids!!!!

My main point is that tight ccts are the way ahead. The key to flying them safely is discipline, both in flying accuracy and R/T usage. If we all keep the R/T short but accurate with the calls in the correct place and we all fly disciplined ccts then everyone knows where everyone else is. 5 A/C in the cct is busy no doubt but is in no way unsafe.

I invite any discussion.