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The objective of the rectangular course is to help you develop the skill to compensate for effects of the wind and fly a uniform traffic pattern by visual reference to the ground. This maneuver requires you to combine several flight techniques. First, you may need to use varying crab angles throughtout the straight flight segments. Second, you must track an imaginary line parallel to a fixed line. Third, you need to plan ahead and use different angles of bank in order to roll out of the turns at the proper distance from the field boundary. Finally, you must maintain a constant altitude throughout the maneuver. To help you accomplish these tasks, do not forget to maintain coordinated flight and trim to relieve control pressures, as needed.
Before starting the maneuver, select a field away from a populated area which is bound on four sides by section lines or roads. The field should have sides between one-half and one mile in length. If possible, the wind should be blowing parallel to the long side of the rectangle. Clear the area for traffic and check to ensure there are no obstructions such as towers or power lines. Also, select an emergency landing area within gliding distance. The pattern is typically flown using left turns (although you should also practice right-hand patterns) and at a distance of approximately one-quarter to one-half mile outside the field boundary. If you fly too close to the boundaries, your angle of bank in the turns will be excessive (greater than 45°) and you may have difficulty keeping the edges of the field in sight. |
1 |
Enter the maneuver at a 45° angle to the downwind leg, at an altitude of 600 to 1,000 feet AGL. Fly parallel to the field boundary. |
| To fly a precise course, it is important that you accurately estimate the wind direction before starting the maneuver. While you can use the direction of the wind at your departure airport as a guide, you should check for other signs of wind direction near you selected field. These indicators include blowing trees, smoke, and dust, as well as advancing wave patterns on water and grain fields. You also can gain valuable information about the wind by flying a 360° constant airspeed, constant angle of bank. |
2 |
When you are abeam the crosswind segment of the field boundary, begin a turn to the crosswind leg. To counteract the effect of the wind and remain parallel to the crosswind field boundary, you should continue the turn beyond 90°. |
| The amount of bank you use is a function of groundspeed; the greater the groundspeed, the greater the angle of bank required. Since a tailwind provides the greatest groundspeed, the turn from the downwind to the crosswind leg will require the steepest angle of bank of any of the four turns. As you proceed through the firs turn, your ground speed decreases. Therefore, you should gradually decrease you angle of bank as the turn progresses. Once established on the crosswind leg, adjust the crab angle as necessary to maintain the proper distance from the field boundary. |
3 |
When you are abeam the upwind segment of the field boundary, begin a turn to the upwind leg. Since you were holding a crab angle into the wind on the crosswind leg, your turn to the upwind leg will be less than 90°. |
| With the increasing headwind and decreasing groundspeed, you should progressively decrease your angle of bank as the turn progresses. |
4 |
When you are abeam the next crosswind segment of the field boundary, begin a turn to the crosswind leg. To counteract the effect of wind and remain parallel to the crosswind field boundary, you should turn less than 90°. |
| The turn from upwind to crosswind requires the shallowest angle of bank. As the headwind component decreases, you should gradually increase your angle of bank as the turn progresses. Once established on the crosswind leg, adjust your crab angle as necessary to maintain the proper distance from the field boundary. |
5 |
When you are abeam the downwind segment of the field boundary, begin a turn to the downwind leg. Since you were holding a crab angle to compensate for the crosswind, you will need to turn greater than 90° to parallel the downwind field boundary. |
| With the increasing tailwind and groundspeed, you should progressively increase your angle of bank as the turn progresses. |
PTS Requirements |
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Demonstrate knowledge of the elements related to a rectangular course. Determine the wind direction and speed. Select an appropriate field with an emergency landing area within gliding distance. Plan the maneuver to enter at traffic pattern altitude at an appropriate distance fro the field at 45° to the downwind leg, making turns on the first circuit to the left. Maintain a constant ground track during straight and turning flight using the proper wind-drift correction. Maintain coordinated flight while dividing your attention between airplane control and the ground track. Exit the maneuver at the point of entry at the same altitude and airspeed at which the maneuver was started. Then, on the examiner's request, reverse the course and fly the maneuver in the opposite direction. Maintain your entry altitude, +100 feet, and your airspeed, +10 knots.
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