Good Pattern Etiquette

BARBARA FILKINS: Back To Basics In The Traffic Pattern Sometimes going back to basics is key to solving complex, community-based issues faced by many airports, specifically noise. A California airport commissioner, when asked what the most effective action an individual CFI could do to help address noise issues related to flight training, paused, then said “good pattern etiquette.” This presentation will first explore “good pattern etiquette” – the basics we were taught and (hopefully) teach as documented by the FAA in the PHAK. Then, it will explore anomalies that impact the basic pattern and, consequently, the noise profile. Anomalies will include common student deviations and other issues such as failure to turn crosswind promptly or at an improper altitude, failure to fly a stabilized approach in a proper configuration for the aircraft, and traffic mix considerations (e.g., requests for extended downwind). This presentation builds upon “fly friendly” efforts underway within the Ventura County CA airport system. The ubiquitous C172 will be used as the baseline trainer for this demonstration. The Ventura County Department of Airports has agreed to support this effort by providing flight tracks from the County Noise and Operations Management (VNOM) System as well as noise data from current monitoring efforts. The focus is the individual CFI (not just the associated flight school) contributing to noise management through better flying and teaching techniques. While not representing a formal study, this presentation may lead to further formal work in this area.