How to find the appropriate runway..
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Oslo
How to find the appropriate runway..
..to use when approaching a Non-towered airport that does not have asos/awos (or any metar broadcast for that matter)?
As a student pilot beginning cross countrys tomorrow, I wanted to be a step ahead of my CFI. Im doing the PPL-H (and we are to stay out of the flow of fixed wings if possible).
The destination airport is Pahokee (kphk). Closest airport with metar-broadcast is approx 20 nm away to the west(2IS), but would you use the winds broadcast there to determine which runway to use at the non-metar one?
Just curious on other ppl/cpl-pilots in here operating into such airports and how you solve this.
Thanks for your input
As a student pilot beginning cross countrys tomorrow, I wanted to be a step ahead of my CFI. Im doing the PPL-H (and we are to stay out of the flow of fixed wings if possible).
The destination airport is Pahokee (kphk). Closest airport with metar-broadcast is approx 20 nm away to the west(2IS), but would you use the winds broadcast there to determine which runway to use at the non-metar one?
Just curious on other ppl/cpl-pilots in here operating into such airports and how you solve this.
Thanks for your input
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 2
From: have I forgotten or am I lost?
in australia circuit height is 1000ft above ground.
approach the airstrip at 1500ft above ground which places you at 500ft above the circuit pattern if anyone is there.
look at the windsock and figure out which circuit you are going to to use.
turn and descend to circuit height on the dead side of the circuit, cross the runway over the upwind threshold and continue the circuit.
use your noggin, keep a good lookout and be where another pilot would expect you to be in the circuit.
it is pretty easy really.
approach the airstrip at 1500ft above ground which places you at 500ft above the circuit pattern if anyone is there.
look at the windsock and figure out which circuit you are going to to use.
turn and descend to circuit height on the dead side of the circuit, cross the runway over the upwind threshold and continue the circuit.
use your noggin, keep a good lookout and be where another pilot would expect you to be in the circuit.
it is pretty easy really.
Joined: Nov 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 30
From: Texas
Palm Beach Approach works that airspace. They'll give you the closest weather report and if they know of any traffic. As you get closer they'll terminate service with you and clear you to the CTAF freq, 122.8. Any radio equipped aircraft in the pattern should be announcing their position, as well as aircraft at a dozen near by uncontrolled airports. Or you can use obgraham's old school method which works anywhere.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 5
From: Canada
You can also figure out the wind by looking at any body of water nearby. Look along the shoreline or around islands. The calmer (glassy looking) water will be on the upwind shoreline. To make it simpler, if you were flying floats you would be landing towards that shoreline. Gusts will be indicated by rapidly moving dark patches. (another good indicator of wind direction)
