Long Final in USA?
 

Is the term "Long Final" used in the US as it is in the UK, to mean >4mi, or is the term not used?

If my memory serves me correct then yes, long final is called at 8mile and ‘finals’ is called at 4mile. Well, at least that how we did it when I was out there, but I stand to be corrected!

GD

It's FINAL - there's only one! ;)

Chilli is correct, they use 'final' with a distance. I.e. " You are No. 2 after the Cessna on a 2 mile final"

Julian.

"Long final" at 8 miles?! :confused:

Unless you're flying some sort of fast jet, if you're that far out my advice is: (1) stay off the frequency until you're closer in, and (2) join for a proper circuit.

Currently, 'long final' means >4 miles in the UK. 'Short final' may also be heard and though it has no official definition, use is tolerated as it is generally understood (i.e. between 'final' and 'over the hedge') and may help a pilot understand more about traffic position.

In practice, small aircraft may wish to join final that far out for all kinds of reasons and I don't see why they shouldn't if it fits in with the pattern of traffic. The service I operate asks any traffic (overflying or joining) to call if within 10 miles of the field, as this strikes a balance between providing an efficient service and not stepping on other airfields with the same freq.

Ah, one of those questions that I always like to ask controllers when I am hanging out with them. A bit like 'when you ask me to report a "two mile base", is this two miles from the tower, two miles from the end of the runway, or two miles from the base/final turn'. And I never get the same answer.

For me, I always use "final" with a distance i.e four mile final EXCEPT when I am close to the threshold and landing is imminent. So then I'll report 'Short Final' to ATC if they haven't yet cleared me to land, or on the common frequency if I'm landing next and nobody better get in front of me or decide to depart. Long Final means nothing to me, if I heard it on a common frequency I'd ignore it as a means of locating somebody (but keep a look out for somebody who I thought was a risky person to share a pattern with and is out there somewhere). It's also easy to ask him on the frequency how far he was out, then bear that in mind while looking.

MLS, thank for your advice, I’ll pass that on the controller next time he tells me to ‘make a strait in approach and call long final’ (and sorry… don’t know why I put an s on the end of final!).

Like I said, I stand to be corrected. I can only pass comment on my experiences when I’ve flown out there! (However I think there are quite a few airports out there that would be just a little p1ssed off if you were to “stay off the frequency until you're closer in”) – MLS, sorry to single you out… It’s not a personal attack!

Fly safe.

GD

You should make your initial call around 15 miles out, no more than 20, and definitely before you enter any airspace where you need to be talking with controllers.

PS Can you have a 'final' on a straight in? You haven't flown a base leg.......

Grob Driver,

Just to be clear: my "advice" was more in the nature of a general comment, and not intended as criticism of you or your airmanship. No offence meant.

MLS