Ch. 7 Airport Traffic Patterns

Question 1

Why are there traffic patterns?

Answer 1

To ensure that air traffic is flown into and out of an airport safely.

Question 2

Where can information about traffic patterns at a specific airport be found?

Answer 2

In the Chart Supplement

Question 3

What is the standard direction of turns in the traffic pattern?

Answer 3

To the left.

Question 4

When do midair collisions typically happen?

Answer 4

On clear days with unlimited visibility.

Question 5

What height is the typical traffic pattern?

Answer 5

1000’ AGL

Question 6

What speed should the pilot stay below without an operating control tower?

Answer 6

200 kts

Question 7

What does the short member of the “L” on the segmented circle tell you about the traffic pattern?

Answer 7

The direction in which the traffic pattern turns are made when using the runway parallel to the long member of the “L”.

Question 8

How should the pilot check what runway to use at an un-towered airport?

Answer 8

1. ) Check what local traffic is doing
2. ) AWOS/ASOS
3. ) Overfly airport at 500’ above TPA to observe wind sock and segmented circle

Question 9

How is traffic pattern normally entered?

Answer 9

At a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg, headed toward a point abeam the midpoint of the runway to be used for landing.

Question 10

How far is the downwind leg from the runway?

Answer 10

Approximately 1/2 to 1 mile out at TPA.

Question 11

When should before landing checks and extension of landing gear happen in the traffic pattern?

Answer 11

Downwind leg

Question 12

When does the pilot start their descent to land?

Answer 12

Abeam their intended touchdown point.

Question 13

What check should the pilot do when beginning descent to land?

Answer 13

“Blue-line GUMPS”

Blue-line or 1.4*Vso
Gas- on both tanks
Under carriage- landing gear down
Mixture- enriched 
Props- full forward
Pumps- fuel pumps on (if req)
Safety belts- on

Question 14

At what point should the pilot turn downwind to base leg?

Answer 14

When the pilot is 45 degrees to the approach end of the runway.

Question 15

What bank turn should be used to turn onto base leg?

Answer 15

Medium

Question 16

What speed should the pilot be on base leg?

Answer 16

1.4*Vso

Question 17

What check should the pilot do on base leg?

Answer 17

“Blue-line GUMPS”

Blue-line or 1.4*Vso
Gas- on both tanks
Under carriage- landing gear down
Mixture- enriched 
Props- full forward
Pumps- fuel pumps on (if req)
Safety belts- on

Question 18

Who has right-of-way, an aircraft on final or an aircraft about on to taxi onto the runway for departure?

Answer 18

The aircraft on final.

Question 19

When in a go-around and at a safe alititude, what should the pilot do?

Answer 19

Commence a shallow bank turn to the upwind side of the airport to allow better visibility of the runway for departing traffic.

Question 20

Part of the traffic pattern in which the pilot will transition from the final approach to the climb altitude to initiate a go-around.

Answer 20

Upwind leg

Question 21

Part of the traffic pattern that is a straight course aligned with, and leading from, the takeoff runway.

Answer 21

Departure leg

Question 22

When should the pilot start their turn onto the crosswind leg? (AFH 7-4)

Answer 22

When they’re beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of TPA.

Question 23

How should the pilot exit the traffic pattern?

Answer 23

Beyond D.E.R. (Departure end of runway) straight out or exit on a 45 degree turn to the left for left-hand traffic patterns, or to right for right-hand traffic patterns after reaching TPA.

Question 24

If coming from the opposite side of the traffic pattern how should you enter the traffic pattern?

Answer 24

Announce intentions, cross midfield at 500’ above TPA, fly at least 2 miles past the downwind leg, and then make a descending turn to enter downwind leg at a 45 degree angle at TPA.

Question 25

What is an alternate method to enter the downwind leg when coming from the opposite side of the traffic pattern?

Answer 25

Announce intentions, cross midfield at TPA, announce intentions (again), and turn directly into downwind leg. DON’T USE THIS METHOD IF PATTERN IS BUSY.

Question 26

What is the most probably cause of mid-air collisions?

Answer 26

The pilot failing to see and avoid other aircraft.

Question 27

Where do high-wing aircraft have limited visibility?

Answer 27

Above the aircraft.

Question 28

Where do low-wing aircraft have limited visibility?

Answer 28

Below the aircraft.

Question 29

What is the worst case scenario for a high-wing and low-wing to be flying around each other?

Answer 29

The low-wing flying above the high-wing aircraft.

Question 30

What should the pilot do from time to time to check for aircraft above and below them?

Answer 30

Banking from time to time

Question 31

Where do nearly all accidents occur?

Answer 31

At or near uncontrolled airports and at altitudes below 1000’ AGL.

Question 32

When should you report your position when flying in the vicinity of an airport?

Answer 32

10 miles out and listen for reports from other inbound traffic.

Question 33

When should you report your position in the traffic pattern at a non-towered airport?

Answer 33

Entering crosswind, entering downwind, turning downwind to base, and base to final.

Question 34

When should you be at TPA?

Answer 34

Prior to entering the traffic pattern.

Question 35

Do all aircraft at non-towered airports have radios?

Answer 35

No not necessarily.