Sidious
Well-Known Member
I received an email from my school about an issue that has come up numerous times about turning downwind to base and then being yelled at for doing so before being "Cleared"
Its my understanding that we should fly a normal pattern and that we do not need to be "Cleared" to be on any section of the traffic pattern.
What should we as pilots say when this is happening in the air?
Heres the email
Instructors:
Two or three months ago we were being scolded by tower for turning base before being cleared for landing. I took the issue up with -------, the ----- Tower Manager, and he informed me that pilots should fly a normal pattern with common sense (his words), turn base at the proper spacing if doing so does not present a conflict with other traffic, and query the tower for clearance before landing if clearance has not been received. Mr. ------ spoke with the controllers and things were OK for a while.
During the last couple of weeks pilots have been scolded for turning base before they were *sequenced*. Being *sequenced* is not the same as being *cleared*, but semantics aside, the controllers intent seemed to be inconsistent with Mr. ------ previous instructions.
Monday morning I talked with Mr. ------ again and provided an event date and time for tape review. He reaffirmed his previous position and added that if a controller wants a pilot to extend downwind the controller must issue that instruction. Mr. ------ committed to review the tape and follow up with the controller involved.
I encourage instructors and pilots who have questions or concerns to talk with Mr. -----. I have found him to be thoroughly professional and genuinely interested in providing good service.
Its my understanding that we should fly a normal pattern and that we do not need to be "Cleared" to be on any section of the traffic pattern.
What should we as pilots say when this is happening in the air?
Heres the email
Instructors:
Two or three months ago we were being scolded by tower for turning base before being cleared for landing. I took the issue up with -------, the ----- Tower Manager, and he informed me that pilots should fly a normal pattern with common sense (his words), turn base at the proper spacing if doing so does not present a conflict with other traffic, and query the tower for clearance before landing if clearance has not been received. Mr. ------ spoke with the controllers and things were OK for a while.
During the last couple of weeks pilots have been scolded for turning base before they were *sequenced*. Being *sequenced* is not the same as being *cleared*, but semantics aside, the controllers intent seemed to be inconsistent with Mr. ------ previous instructions.
Monday morning I talked with Mr. ------ again and provided an event date and time for tape review. He reaffirmed his previous position and added that if a controller wants a pilot to extend downwind the controller must issue that instruction. Mr. ------ committed to review the tape and follow up with the controller involved.
I encourage instructors and pilots who have questions or concerns to talk with Mr. -----. I have found him to be thoroughly professional and genuinely interested in providing good service.