Page 1 of 1

CAT 1 Question

Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 9:28 pm
by luckyb52
Hi All,

The pattern of L52 R29 is to the left. That said, when departing the pattern to the east, does one fly left crosswind -> left downwind -> L88 or, as I'm seeing in some YouTube videos, right crosswind -> right downwind -> L88?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Best,

Lucky :)

Re: CAT 1 Question

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 4:58 am
by ngoiz
Hey Lucky,

According to the AIM, the standard way of departing the pattern is on a straight-out or a 45-degree departure (yet this is not mandatory). It is usually recommended that if you are going to make a non-standard turn (i.e. turn in the opposite direction to the traffic pattern) you wait until you are at TPA + 500ft.

Regulation wise (Part 91), you are only required to follow the marked traffic pattern when approaching to land at a Class G airport (91.126b).

In any case just announce your intentions on the CTAF to get a clear view of what's happening in the vicinity of the airport although remember that not all aircraft may be monitoring it.

In my opinion, a downwind departure from a non-towered airport is something you must do exercising extreme caution. The downwind leg is the standard entry point to the traffic pattern and traffic will be flying perpendicular to it to join. For instance, in the case of Oceano (say landing 29) traffic coming from the NE will usually fly perpendicular to the runway, overhead the airport at TPA + 500 ft to then join the 45 degree entry for the left downwind. If you are doing a right downwind departure from runway 29, chances are you may conflict with arrival traffic that will be approaching from the NE to overfly the airport.

Also check out this AOPA article relating to non-towered ops
https://www.aopa.org/-/media/files/aopa ... s/sa08.pdf

Hope this helps!

-Norberto

Re: CAT 1 Question

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 7:05 pm
by luckyb52
Thank you so much for that detailed reply, Norberto. Based on it, I will depart straight out climbing to 1500 (1000 is the TPA), turn right into a high right downwind path, make sure I'm past the runway, then fly direct to New Cuyama.

Does that sound right?

Best,

Lucky :)

Re: CAT 1 Question

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 3:45 am
by ngoiz
That sounds alright. Just be careful with the SBP Delta and you'll be good to go!

Good luck on the CAT programme!