How to miss traffic that might be at right angles to you
I have a question about traffic pattern operations. Let's assume I've just turned a left base while flying left traffic. Along with my normal duties of attitude, speed, wind, relationship to runway, I discover someone on a straight-in final approach (SIF). What should I do?
If I'm within the first one-third of my base, should I immediately turn 90 degrees left, fly parallel to the left side of the runway, and begin a climb for a go-around? If I'm farther into my base, I can't go right or left because I lose sight of the SIF. If I go to straight full climb on base I'm crossing the SIF and if the SIF sees me, the SIF may decide to climb, too. That's a bad thing!
What if I'm on short final? If I broke right and reconfigured for another attempt, I can't be sure what the SIF will do. A 45-degree climbing left turn hides the SIF, and I want to know what it is doing. Something has to be done now! What?
Sincerely,
Genie
Greetings Genie:
Here's the operative principle when discovering another airplane on final approach to land (the SIF you refer to) while you're still on base at a nontowered airport: Keep that airplane in sight as much as possible.
That's why, if you're on base and discover an airplane on a straight-in final at an airport with a single runway, you'd continue flying base leg while beginning a climb to traffic pattern altitude, fly beyond the final approach slightly, then turn to fly parallel and slightly offset from the runway for the purpose of keeping the airplane in sight out your left window.
Flying parallel to the runway on the opposite side of the traffic pattern is known as flying the "upwind leg." From here you'd fly a normal rectangular traffic pattern. This type of maneuvering allows you to keep all the airplanes in the traffic pattern in sight as you return to the crosswind and then downwind legs. It doesn't matter if the airplane on final decides to go around since you'll have him in sight and can maneuver to avoid him if necessary.
Here are a few additional points and reasons:
You said: If I'm within the first one-third of my base, should I immediately turn 90 degrees left, fly parallel to the left side of the runway, and begin a climb for a go-around?
My response: This would be a very bad idea since you're turning against traffic on the downwind leg. I wouldn't do this, even if my airplane had a force field or a big bumper. This is also a bad idea since you might not be able to see the SIF out your right window.
You said: If I'm farther into my base, I can't go right or left because I lose sight of the SIF. If I go to straight full climb on base I'm crossing the SIF and if the SIF sees me, the SIF may decide to climb, too.
My response: Sometimes there are no squeaky clean answers in this SIF-uation. The best answer is to climb, keep the SIF in sight, fly across the final a bit, turn left, and fly the upwind leg. Above all, keep the SIF in sight. You don't care what he'll do as long as you can keep an eye on him. This way, if he turns toward you, you can take evasive action (unless he's in a Klingon bird of prey, in which case I'd surrender immediately).
You said: What if I'm on short final? If I broke right and reconfigured for another attempt, I can't be sure what the SIF will do.
My response: Your instincts are correct here. Fly to the right of final (the upwind leg) and keep an eye on the SIF. Once again, you don't care what the airplane on final will do since you can see him and avoid him. That's all that matters here.
How to seek outside assistance without offending CFI?
Dear Rod:
I'm writing you to determine if it would be acceptable for me, as a student pilot, to fly with another instructor to be evaluated on my flight training skills. At present, I have 50 hours. I would not want to offend my current instructor; however, I would like a different point of view.
Thanks!
Ms. N.
Greetings Ms. N.:
There's absolutely nothing wrong with flying with another instructor to help evaluate your flight training. In fact, I've always encouraged my students to fly with another CFI during phase/proficiency checks for this specific reason. As far as offending your instructor, well, you can either do it without his knowledge or you can inform him that you'd like his or her permission to do so. Personally, I think it's best to be up front about this, so here's how I'd do it.
I'd say something like this, "Mr. Aftar Burner [your CFI], it's always been part of my learning strategy to obtain a second opinion from a doctor regarding medical issues. So, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to do a phase check with another instructor (perhaps one that you recommend) to evaluate my flying proficiency at this point in my training."
You don't have to explain why you want the phase check. But you should be prepared to offer some reason in case your CFI presses you. Personally, I can't imagine any reasonable instructor denying a request to be evaluated by another flight instructor.
Economical training ideas for a pilot-to-be
Dear Rod:
I will be 17 soon, and want to start training for my pilot certificate. I've saved up about $5,500, and not sure if that is going to be enough.
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of being able to obtain my private pilot certificate. Any ideas on how I can make my lessons as economical as possible?
Thank you,
Kal
Greetings Kal:
Regarding your financial situation, here's a thought. Have you considered training for your sport pilot certificate first? If you did, you might easily be able to complete the requirements in 20 to 30 hours instead of the 50 to 60 hours typically required for the private pilot certificate. You should be able to do it with the money you have saved. Once you obtain the sport certificate it would be much easier to obtain the private pilot certificate. And, during the process of training for the private certificate, you could carry a passenger in a light-sport airplane as you build up time.
This is the most economical method to use in your situation. To find a local school that teaches in light-sport airplanes, go to the AOPA Flight Training Web site.
Click on the Flight Bag tab, select "Airport Directory," and scroll down to the Advanced Search option.
Find the "Training" line and select Sport Pilot from the drop-down menu.
Click "Search" and choose from the resulting list.
In the meantime, you should plan on studying for and taking the sport pilot knowledge test.
Rod Machado is a flight instructor, author, educator, and speaker. A pilot since 1970 and a CFI since 1973, he has flown more than 8,000 hours and owns a Beech A36 Bonanza. Visit his Web site.
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