Landing Pattern Terminology Flashcards
Visual Wing References:
Wingtip Distance 3/4 Wingtip Distance 2/3 Wingtip 1/4 Wingtip Distance
Wingtip Distance
Wingtip bisecting the intended point
3/4 Wingtip Distance
Where the orange meets the white on the wing leading edge
2/3 Wingtip distance
Fuel Cap
1/4 Wingtip Distance
Where the canopy rail visually bisects the wing
Initial Point
A point over the ground at the appropriate distance from the runway as specified by the local SOP. At this point the aircraft SHALL be at the altitude and airspeed specified by the local SOP.
Break
An overhead transition from cruise to the downwind configuration. The break is basically a LSC (level speed change) conducted while in a turn.
Break Altitude
Local SOP or Course Rules
Pattern Interval
Determine the number of aircraft and visually acquire each aircraft to determine the proper interval. You have “intercept” when any of the following conditions occur:
- The aircraft ahead of you is abeam or behind your wingtip AND has completed at least 90* of turn
- The aircraft ahead has departed in accordance with local SOP or course rules
- At a tower-controlled field, the above conditions are met, AND you are cleared by the controller
- If the preceding aircraft is a full stop or you are a break aircraft, the proper interval for breaking behind another T-6 is 45* behind your wingtip. Other break intervals are specified by local SOP.
Upwind
The extended runway centerline past the departure end
Downwind
That portion of the reacetrack pattern offset from the runway in the opposite direction of landing.
Crosswind Turn
The turn between upwind and downwind
Abeam
The position in the racetrack pattern opposite the intended point of landing at pattern altitude
180* Position
The position in the racetrack pattern opposite the intended rollout point.
90* Position
The bisector between the 180 and intended rollout point. The aircraft should be 450 feet AGL (or 1/2 the pattern altitude in feet AGL) and perpendicular to the runway.
Final
The extended centerline of the runway with 1200-1500 feet of straightaway from the rollout point to the runway threshold at an altitude between 150-250 feet AGL. Airspeed is dependent on the type of approach.
Intended point of Landing
This is the point on the runway where you intend for the aircraft to touch down and allows you to stop the aircraft within the remaining length of the runway. Intended Point of Landing is normally 500 feet past the runway threshold, or as defined by local SOP. The Intended Point of landing may be changed as needed to account for unusual runway conditions such as a raised barrier or a displaced threshold.
Touchdown Zone
This is an area from the intended point of landing extending to 500 feet beyond that point. Strive to make all landings in the touchdown zone. Safe landings may be made outside the touchdown zone, either prior to the Intended Point of Landing or past the Touchdown Zone. If unable to execute a safe landing (within the first 1/3 of the runway or as determined by local SOP). WAVE OFF.
Aimpoint
The aimpoint is a reference point at the approach end of the runway (usually the runway threshold) used to fly the aircraft down final approach. It is the point at the end of the aircraft’s glidepath where the transition to landing should commence. It is not the intended point of ladning. The aimpoint should remain fixed in the windscreen on final approach when the aircraft is on speed and altitude. Stable airspeed. proper glide path, and a fixed aimpoint provide the consistency required for successful landing.
The Extended Runway Centerline
The extended runway centerline is the line over which the aircraft should track while on the final approach to landing
Departure Interval
You are number one for departure when past the departure end of the runway (or as defined by local SOP), flaps up, and the aircraft upwind has either initiated the crosswind turn or raised the landing gear to depart
