PilotEdge Forums

Hi guys,

The other day I was approaching Santa Barbara from the southeast and was cleared for the visual approach to 15R. When the tower gave me landing clearance I asked if they wanted me to make right or left traffic... the controller told me to enter a right downwind to 15R, which required me to fly across the departure end before entering the pattern. I landed without incident.

My question is: Does the clearance for the visual approach allow me to approach the runway in the most expeditious way possible (in this case LEFT traffic) or was I correct in seeking clarification?

THX as always... Joey

In lieu of any other instructions, you'd maneuver as necessary to land on 15R. If tower gives lateral guidance, then it would be need to be followed. Any time you get a pattern entry which requires crossing over, and you don't hear any instructions on where specifically to crossover (ie, "cross overhead midfield, then enter right downwind rwy 15R"), I would question the instruction. Chances are, the controller was thinking left but said right.

Makes sense but I just wanted to be sure... Better safe than sorry... THX!