EAA CHAPTER 108

Safety Officer's Corner

AIRPORT PROCEDURES FOR SLOW OR ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT

NON-TOWERED AIRPORT

by Ray Sawyer

Arrival procedure: Maintain the Airport Pattern Altitude from about three miles out

Enter pattern from the upwind side at a 45-degree angle (bearing) to a close in upwind leg.

On upwind leg be close enough to look down at a 45 degree angle at runway (wings level). This will keep you inside faster plane patterns.

Determine your touchdown spot, which will allow you to exit runway quickly.

At midfield turn 90degrees and cross the active to enter the close in downwind leg, checking for traffic on normal downwind, base, and final legs.

When abeam you’re intended touchdown spot check for traffic and if a hold is necessary make a 360 over your planned touchdown point.

Continue the 360 holding until spacing is right. Then do a STEEP close in downwind, base and final.

Know your crafts’ landing distance and put it down so you can exit the active quickly, not at the threshold of a 5000-ft runway where you must taxi forever.

Departure procedure: After takeoff, execute a steep 180-degree turn as soon as well 

                                  Clear of obstacles to arrive at a close in downwind leg (sighting

                                   Down 45 degrees toward runway).

                                   Continue downwind while climbing and make another 180 degree

                                   Turn at the end of the runway to the close in upwind leg.

                                   Climb at this racetrack course until well above pattern altitude.                                                   

                                    This departure method decreases risk factors to a minimum by

                                    Allowing for an emergency landing back on the departure runway

                                    Within a few seconds after lift off if needed.

                                    Climbing close in and inside the approach and departure areas of

                                    The runway keeps you well clear of faster aircraft.                                   

                                    Departing when above the aircraft pattern keeps you above most

                                    Inbound and outbound traffic.

 Ray Sawyer is safety officer for  EAA Chapter 108.