Been flying a lot lately, exploring Japan. The one thing that seems to always happen is ATC commands I enter the pattern oddly. Like I’m approaching from the south with landing on an eastbound runway. ATC invariably commands I enter left downwind for runway 9. So I expect a right turn to heading 27, but from the south I either enter RIGHT downwind traffic, or I must cross over the runway to enter a LEFT downwind.
Never saw such a thing IRL.
Could be a couple things wrong. Like its confused about which end is really runway “9”? I could do a LEFT downwind to runway 27, maybe that’s what’s intended?
I think on LEFT downwind to runway 27 the runway should be on your left. Which would give you a course of and you turn left to runway 27.
this might help…
Initial heading - 270
Subtract 2 from 2, and add 2 to 7 to get the reciprocal - 090
or a different one…
Initial heading - 180
Add 2 to the 1 and subtract 2 from the 8 to get the reciprocal - 360
Thanks, however when you are south of the rwy 9/27 and your course is, say, 350, and you hear active landings for runway 9, I’m not clear how to enter left traffic without crossing to the north of the active.
Crossing midfield is the proper method of joining “downwind left for 09” if approaching from the south. Cross above circuit altitude ad descend on the downwind side. The alternative would be for ATC to vector you out of the way of departing aircraft to get you north of the field. Unless an airfield has a published right hand circuit you will seldom get cleared into the pattern “right”.
So in your scenario, assuming field is at 1500ft, you would descend to 3500 and continue at 360 until crossing midfield. Then descend to pattern height and join the downwind.
That’s exactly what you are supposed to do — even in the real world. If ATC has established lefthand patterns and the active is 9, then coming from the south you would overfly the airport mid-point at 500 feet above Traffic Pattern Altitude, and descend after crossing airport.
Then, depending on how busy the airport is, you can either descend and turn left to join the downwind directly (watch carefully for traffic), or more safely, fly just past the downwind and make a descending right 180 and join the downwind on the 45 just like you were arriving from the north.
@willisxdc
I read about or saw on video on this descending turn entry. I was taught just like you were, but this new idea stuck in my head. I think they may be teaching it now.
Depends on controlled or uncontrolled. Towered airports usually have specific VFR procedures for where they want you to do the descent. I most cases there will be nice little diamonds on the map that will direct you to a VFR fix to enter the pattern from. Often they will keep you clear of arriving and departing routes while getting you to the fix.
Was pretty standard to do much like an IFR procedure turn on the downwind side at many fields. Cross, do 225 degree right turn 1 mile clear of the pattern, descend to join 45 onto downwind.
TOWERED AIRPORT
ATC clears you to enter the downwind on the other side of the runway. They will expect you to fly figure B, crossing over the runway at midfield at pattern altitude and directly entering the downwind as @willisxdc said.
NON-TOWERED AIRPORT – NOT VERY BUSY
As long as the traffic pattern is not very busy, the FAA permits you to use the same direct downwind entry (figure B) as at towered airports (above), but you’re responsible for announcing your attentions on CTAC, and yielding to any traffic already on downwind or entering it at the preferred side and 45 degree angle.
NON-TOWERED AIRPORT – BUSY
If the traffic pattern is busy, the FAA recommends figure A for safety. You overfly the runway at midfield at at 500 feet above TPA until 2 miles clear of the traffic pattern, then descend to TPA and make a turn back to enter the downwind on a 45 degree angle. Make sure to announce your attentions as usual on CTAC.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
Things often and rapidly change in aviation, but never forget – or neglect to learn – the fundamentals. The FAA Flying Handbook I linked above is a treasure chest of knowledge to explore. And don’t just read it, use the sim to set up and practice all the examples!
