At some point during every private pilot practical test, applicants are asked to proceed to an airport where a series of takeoffs and landings can be performed. While the task of flying a proper traffic pattern is seldom specifically requested by the designated pilot examiner (DPE), be aware that your traffic pattern operations will be closely monitored. In fact, the practical test standards (PTS) lists “Traffic Patterns” as a separate and specific required task. So don’t be fooled into thinking that a sloppy pattern will go unnoticed.
The Airplane Flying Handbook, advisory circular AC 90-66A, and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) elaborate on the specifics, all designed to bring uniformity— and, therefore, increased safety— to the traffic pattern. However, the safety aspect is lost whenever pilots choose to deviate from the expected, established norm. The FAA references clearly describe the recommended methods for entering and departing a traffic pattern. But since these are labeled recommended methods, it is not uncommon to witness a variety of techniques, including inappropriate traffic pattern departures, tight turns in close proximity to the downwind leg to achieve a 45-degree entry heading, dive-bombing the downwind leg, or even sudden 360-degree turns in the pattern. This “beehive” mentality in the traffic pattern is likely to scare the examiner— which, incidentally, rarely yields desirable results.
Your first opportunity to impress the examiner will be your traffic pattern departure. The two options for this include either a straight-out departure, or a left (right, in a right-hand pattern) 45-degree turn, begun only after reaching pattern altitude. Examiners frequently observe unique and sometimes frightening variations to this theme. Later, when it’s time to reenter the pattern for landings, with all of the resources available to determine wind direction and velocity (AWOS/ASOS, unicom, visual clues, listening to other local traffic), the alarmingly common practice of overflying the airport at around 500 feet above pattern altitude to establish the active runway should never be necessary, except in the rarest of circumstances; for example, confirming runway surface conditions with no radio available. One of the best ways to avoid midair collisions is by steering clear of airport overflights; and with a bit of planning and resource management, a pilot can eliminate this risky technique completely.
Another element of the examiner’s attention will be the applicant’s proper use of radio phraseology. There are plenty of great examples offered in the AIM. Avoid the undesirable phrase, “Any traffic in the area, please advise.” Just imagine the frequency-jamming effect that would result if every pilot within earshot took that request literally. Instead, when approaching the pattern, announce your position and intentions while still several miles away. Then, look and listen. If there is other traffic operating in the pattern that heard your transmission, their follow-up call will come automatically. But even if they don’t, no response does not necessarily mean no traffic; another aircraft may not even have a radio!
As you approach the traffic pattern, if you must maneuver to reach a 45-degree entry heading, complete those turns several miles away from the pattern so that you can be established on the entry heading early enough to permit a clear view of the entire downwind leg as you approach it at the midfi eld point—with all exterior (strobes and landing) lights on. Also, adjust your altitude early enough to be level at pattern altitude well before reaching the downwind leg.
While remaining in the pattern for landings, be sure to delay your turn to the crosswind leg until you have met two preconditions: You’ve reached the departure end of the runway, and have climbed to within 300 feet of the pattern altitude. These constraints are designed to help maintain a uniform downwind leg length and altitude, reducing the risk of climbing into an unobserved aircraft already on downwind above you. Similarly, avoid beginning your descent from pattern altitude until you are abeam the landing-runway threshold. This helps eliminate touching down on top of that invisible aircraft just below you on the downwind leg.
Besides keeping you safe, observing the details of a properly flown traffic pattern will bring a smile to the face of your examiner— and you—on your checkride day.
