After having screwed up the traffic pattern at KRNM Ramona a few times with different controllers I'm wondering what procedures apply:
- The A/FD implies left patterns for both 09/27; however I was given right patterns - is this what tower will normally assign?
- In accordance with the VOR/DME-A IAP I was instructed to circle south of the runway. Would this lead to a left hand pattern for Rwy 27 while VFR traffic gets a right pattern? In other words, does tower separate VFR from circling IFR traffic, by assigning different patterns?
Thanks
Andreas
KRNM traffic pattern
Re: KRNM traffic pattern
Always do what the tower assigns. I'm guessing the AFD pattern direction is after operating hours. If you look on airnav the tower is open from 0800-2000 lcl. When tower is closed it would be an uncontrolled class E airport.
That approach is almost straight in but if you look at the approach plate near the top it states you cannot circle north of the field "circling NA north of Ry 9/27." So the controller probably just said south to be official. If they told me to circle south I'd simply land straight in. But if you were high and unable to angle onto final a south circle would mean to enter a left downwind for Ry 27. I admit it's a little odd with this approach. The reason it's a circling approach is because of the degrees off centerline from Ry 27. If it was more aligned the approach could be titled "VOR/DME Ry 27."
Regarding the VFR pattern... not really, the tower controller would just sequence the VFR pattern workers accordingly. For example the tower would extend the upwind of someone to make room for you on final.
That approach is almost straight in but if you look at the approach plate near the top it states you cannot circle north of the field "circling NA north of Ry 9/27." So the controller probably just said south to be official. If they told me to circle south I'd simply land straight in. But if you were high and unable to angle onto final a south circle would mean to enter a left downwind for Ry 27. I admit it's a little odd with this approach. The reason it's a circling approach is because of the degrees off centerline from Ry 27. If it was more aligned the approach could be titled "VOR/DME Ry 27."
Regarding the VFR pattern... not really, the tower controller would just sequence the VFR pattern workers accordingly. For example the tower would extend the upwind of someone to make room for you on final.
PE ID: 29
FAA ATCS
FAA PPL ASEL
FAA ATCS
FAA PPL ASEL
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Keith Smith
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Re: KRNM traffic pattern
Andreas, the note in the A/FD applies if the tower is closed. During normal hours, whatever the tower assigns has priority. I used to fly into Palo Alto, CA quite a bit (KPAO) and the traffic pattern would change throughout the day. In fact, sometimes they'd have aircraft on both sides as the same time
VFR is not afforded any separation from IFR traffic in Class D airspace.
VFR is not afforded any separation from IFR traffic in Class D airspace.
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Keith Smith
- Posts: 9942
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:38 pm
- Location: Pompton Plains, NJ
- Contact:
Re: KRNM traffic pattern
Thanks guys, it's reassuring you both give the same explanation 