JMK
Well-Known Member
I'm trying to brush up on things I've forgotten or feel weak on and came across this sentence in 4-3-5 of the AIM.
"The controller can anticipate minor maneuvering such as shallow “S” turns."
I'm remembering a scenario when I was working on my flight review flying in the pattern of a Class D airport, #2 for touch and go on, and I started doing some S-turns on final for spacing. I don't remember if the #1 aircraft was just slow getting off the runway or what, but whatever the case was, I needed to buy some time. The CFI at the time said something like "lets stop doing that so we don't get yelled at for unapproved S-turns."
Reading further down 4-3-5, after describing 360 maneuvers, it also says "Should a pilot decide to make maneuvering turns to maintain spacing behind a preceding aircraft, the pilot should always advise the controller if at all possible."
So this seems mostly clear to me, I was OK to do that, but should have advised tower if possible. I'm just not 100% clear though, that they consider S-turns maneuvering turns or if they're referring to 360's (which I know shouldn't be done without permission unless it's an emergency). I can't recall ever hearing anyone advise the tower they were doing this. Any thoughts on this or am I understanding correctly?
I know this is a basic question I should know but most of my time is in helicopters and I'm trying to plug holes in my fixed wing operations knowledge as I find them.
"The controller can anticipate minor maneuvering such as shallow “S” turns."
I'm remembering a scenario when I was working on my flight review flying in the pattern of a Class D airport, #2 for touch and go on, and I started doing some S-turns on final for spacing. I don't remember if the #1 aircraft was just slow getting off the runway or what, but whatever the case was, I needed to buy some time. The CFI at the time said something like "lets stop doing that so we don't get yelled at for unapproved S-turns."
Reading further down 4-3-5, after describing 360 maneuvers, it also says "Should a pilot decide to make maneuvering turns to maintain spacing behind a preceding aircraft, the pilot should always advise the controller if at all possible."
So this seems mostly clear to me, I was OK to do that, but should have advised tower if possible. I'm just not 100% clear though, that they consider S-turns maneuvering turns or if they're referring to 360's (which I know shouldn't be done without permission unless it's an emergency). I can't recall ever hearing anyone advise the tower they were doing this. Any thoughts on this or am I understanding correctly?
I know this is a basic question I should know but most of my time is in helicopters and I'm trying to plug holes in my fixed wing operations knowledge as I find them.
