Communications and Traffic Pattern Operations

04/19/23Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD; 970 231-6325 [email protected]

1

Communications and Communications and Traffic Pattern OperationsTraffic Pattern Operations

Jer/ EberhardMountain Flying Aviation, LTDGreeley – Weld County Airport, Greeley, Colorado – GXYFort Collins – Loveland Airport, Loveland, Colorado – FNL

FAA Safety Team Member, with DEN FSDO.

[email protected] 970 231-6325 CELL


2

Lets Talk About… Lets Talk About… Communications

- Radio

- You may lookup light gun signals/print from AIM. Traffic pattern operations

– Where to be in the pattern.

– Where to expect other aircraft.

– What to say on the radio. References

– FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

– FAA advisory circulars


3

AgendaAgenda

Tips on radio communications.Tips on traffic pattern names, locations

and operations.Interactive presentation with discussion…Lets spend about an hour.


4

Communications Overview Communications Overview

Good communications involve the sender and receiver.

Not all messages sent are received.Not all messages received are what was

intended to be sent.We will discuss how to be around the

traffic pattern and communicate effectively.


5

First Things First!First Things First! Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, don't Fixate!

Aviate FIRST! Fly the Aircraft!

Navigate SECOND! Get to where you are going!

Communicate THIRD! Talk to those who care!

Don't Fixate! "Do not drop Bernoulli to fly Marconi"!


6

Odd Things Heard on the Radio Odd Things Heard on the Radio That Have NO MEANING!That Have NO MEANING!“…Area traffic please advise…”

Bad radio call!

I have advice for you!%$#@?: “Don't buy ENRON!” “Learn how to talk on the radio”!

The AIM tells us how!


7

Aeronautical Information ManualAeronautical Information Manual

AIM pilot/controller glossary AIM 4-1-9(g)(1):g. Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions 1. General. Self-announce is a procedure whereby pilots

broadcast their position or intended flight activity or ground operation on the designated CTAF. This procedure is used primarily at airports which do not have an FSS on the airport. The self-announce procedure should also be used if a pilot is unable to communicate with the FSS on the designated CTAF. Pilots stating, "Traffic in the area, please advise" is not a recognized Self-Announce Position and/or Intention phrase and should not be used under any condition.


8

Aeronautical Information ManualAeronautical Information Manual

AIM pilot/controller glossary:

There is no:– “Area traffic”, or– "Tally-ho" or– "Looking”.


9

Traffic Advisory CalloutTraffic Advisory Callout The ONLY responses to traffic are:

– “Traffic in sight” or,

– “Negative contact”. The controller has other things to do, too! Don’t take up air time with

“USELESS VERBAGE”! Look outside the aircraft while the controller is talking:

If you see the traffic, report “Traffic in sight”, If not, report: “Negative contact”.

Release the frequency so others can use it!


10

Roger!Roger!

Roger means “I have received all of your last transmission… and I am not taking any action based on that information’.

Affirmative means “yes”.Negative means “no”.The AIM says this about: “roger”,

"it should not be used to answer a question requiring a yes or a no answer”.


11

Ground Station Call SignsGround Station Call Signs Pilots, when calling a ground station, should begin with the name of

the facility being called followed by the type of the facility being called as indicated in AIM Table 4-2-1.

Table 4-2-1 (Updated for Colorado). Jer/------------------------------------------------------------------- Facility Call Sign -------------------------------------------------------------------Airport UNICOM "Fort Collins Loveland UNICOM“ FAA Flight Service Station (FSS) "Denver Radio" FAA Enroute Flight Advisory Service "Denver Flight Watch" Real-time, enroute Weather - EFAS Airport Traffic Control Tower "Centennial Tower" Clearance Delivery Position (IFR) "Centennial Clearance" Ground Control Position in Tower "Centennial Ground" Radar or Nonradar Approach "Denver Approach" Control Position Radar Departure Control Position "Denver Departure" FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center "Denver Center" -------------------------------------------------------------------


12

Aircraft Call Signs – AIM 4-2-4Aircraft Call Signs – AIM 4-2-4 Civil Aircraft should state the aircraft’s:

– Type, model or manufacturer’s name, dropping the “N” (November for a US registered aircraft).

– Digits/letters of the registration number, using the phonetic alphabet. AIM 4-2-7.

Examples– Bonanza Six Five Four Seven Foxtrot (N6547F)– Stationair Niner Five One Three Golf (N9513G)– Skyhawk One Seven Two Zero Zulu (N1720Z)

Model tells others the relative performance and speed characteristics of the aircraft.


13

Numbers: AIM Numbers: AIM 4-2-8 Figures4-2-8 Figures A. Indicate hundreds and thousands in round numbers, as for ceiling

heights, and upper wind levels up to 9,900 shall be spoken in accordance with the following:Example: 500 - FIVE HUNDREDExample: 7,500 - SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED

NOT: “seven point five” or “fiver”.

B. Numbers above 9,900 shall be spoken by separating the digits preceding the word "thousand."Example: 10,000 - one zero thousandExample: 13,500 - one three thousand five hundred

NOT: “thirteen point five” or “thirteen five”, or “ten even”.

C. Transmit airway or jet route numbers as follows:Example: V12 - VICTOR TWELVEExample: J533 - J FIVE THIRTY-THREE

NOT: “victor one two”, or “jet five three three”.

D. All other numbers shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit. Example: 10 - one zero. Not: “ten”.


14

Numbers: AIM 4-2-8, continuedNumbers: AIM 4-2-8, continuedWhen a radio frequency contains a decimal point,

the decimal point is spoken as "POINT“. Example: 122.4 - ONE TWO TWO POINT FOUR

NOTE - ICAO procedures require the decimal point be spoken as "DECIMAL," and FAA will honor such usage by military aircraft and all other aircraft required to use ICAO procedures.


15

Altitudes And Flight LevelsAltitudes And Flight LevelsAim 4-2-9Aim 4-2-9

A. Up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL, state the separate digits of the thousands plus the hundreds if appropriate.Example: 12,000 - one two thousandExample: 12,500 - one two thousand five hundred

B. At and above 18,000 feet MSL (FL 180), state the words "flight level" followed by the separate digits of the flight level.Example: 190 - flight level one NINER zeroExample: 275 - flight level two seven five


16

Directions Aim 4-2-10Directions Aim 4-2-10The three digits of bearing, course, heading, or

wind direction should always be magnetic. The word "true" must be added when it applies.

EXAMPLE: (always state three digits)(Magnetic course) 005 - ZERO ZERO FIVE(True course) 050 - ZERO FIVE ZERO TRUE(Magnetic bearing) 360 - THREE SIX ZERO(Magnetic heading) 100 - HEADING ONE ZERO ZERO(Wind direction) 220 - WIND TWO TWO ZERO


17

Traffic Patterns: DefinitionsTraffic Patterns: Definitions Traffic Pattern: Means the traffic flow that is

prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or taking off from, an airport (FAR 1).

Components: AIM 4-3-2– Upwind Leg, parallel to the runway in direction of landing– Crosswind Leg, right angles to runway off its takeoff end– Downwind Leg, parallel to the runway, opposite dir of landing– Base Leg, right angles to runway, off approach end– Final Approach, direction of landing along extended centerline– Departure Leg, outbound to beyond 1/2mi and w/in 300’ of

pattern altitude before turn in the pattern. Else above pattern. Note: There is NO “crossing midfield”. Why?


18

Traffic Pattern AltitudesTraffic Pattern Altitudes

Altitudes generally 600 – 1,500 AGL.May be as high as 2,500 AGL. AIM 4-3-3.Consider these MINIMUM altitudes.Keep safe: Keep yourself in a position to

glide to the runway in the event of an engine failure or configuration failure (flap, gear, et.al.).


19

Why do YOU remember 800’?Why do YOU remember 800’? Your instructor PROBABLY learned at an airport

with an 800' pattern, hence you were taught to "turn at 500 feet AGL".

Why? Because they were taught (properly):

– “If remaining in the traffic pattern, commence turn to crosswind leg 1/2mi beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of pattern altitude”… but didn’t tell you WHY!

Hence: a turn at 500 AGL for an 800 AGL pattern. Hence: a turn at 700 AGL for a 1000 AGL pattern!


20

Is it CURRENTLY 800 or 1000?Is it CURRENTLY 800 or 1000? Caution... many airports FORMERLY had a

published minimum pattern altitude of 800' AGL. CHECK YOUR AIRPORT in the AFD.

AIM 4-3-3 (Examples) state: Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. 1,000' AGL is minimum recommended pattern altitude unless established otherwise.

Where is this established? Airport Facility Directory (AFD).

Who establishes it? The airport manager, in a letter to the FAA, as published in the AFD.


21

Traffic Pattern OperationsTraffic Pattern OperationsAIM Figure 4-3-3 AIM Figure 4-3-3


22

May I Suggest?May I Suggest?

With a review of the AIM information, will you please consider:

Adjusting your operations with your new knowledge to not begin a turn until you are “within 300 feet of pattern altitude”, and “½ mile beyond the departure end of the runway”?

Operate a 1000 AGL pattern (Note, it is easier to compute than adding 800 feet).


23

Overhead join? Britain, not USA!Overhead join? Britain, not USA!

Visual Clearing Procedures:Traffic Pattern: Entries into traffic patterns while descending create specific collision hazards and should be avoided. AIM 4-4-14(d).

Why fly over an airport when you can easily fly around and join on the 45?

Discussion (not heated, please)! (limit 10 min, >> I << will lead it.)


24

Communications Bottom LineCommunications Bottom Line

Make your communications:

– Succinct

– Directed to the proper audience

– Minimal air time

– Maximal contentCommunicate YOUR message effectively!Help keep each other SAFE!


25

Bring This All TogetherBring This All Together

Position yourself on approach and in the correct position in the pattern.

Communicate your position accurately and in a timely manner.


26

Five “W”s to Talk on the RadioFive “W”s to Talk on the RadioW ho I am talking to (You -Target)

(Airport NAME, or facility NAME or airplane)W ho I am (Me) W here I am or W hat am I doing

(What I have... location, information, doing NOW)

W hat I want or are going to do

(What I want... or am planning)W ho I am talking to (You - Location)

Location, or leave out if talking to an FAA facility.


27

Concrete examples of how to talk on Concrete examples of how to talk on the radio:the radio:# Get airport information: Cessna Skyhawk N1720Z

Fort Collins - Loveland Unicom (READ from chart)Skyhawk Two Zero Zuluon the ramprequest airport advisory Fort Collins - Loveland (READ from chart)

# Taxi to the runway Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic (Note new receiver)Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu on the ramp taxiing for departure 33 Fort Collins - Loveland


28

Concrete Examples:Concrete Examples:

# Ready to takeoff Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu departing 33 northwest departure Fort Collins - Loveland


29


# Get airport information before entering pattern

Fort Collins - Loveland UnicomSkyhawk Two Zero Zulu10 northrequest airport advisoryFort Collins - Loveland


30


# Returning to airportFort Collins - Loveland TrafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zulu10 northplanning a left 45 for left traffic 33 Fort Collins - Loveland


31


# Returning to airport, on downwindFort Collins - Loveland trafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zululeft downwind 33number 2 to land, traffic in sight Fort Collins - Loveland


32


# Returning to airport, on baseFort Collins - Loveland TrafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zululeft base 33Fort Collins - Loveland


33


# Returning to airport, turning finalFort Collins - Loveland TrafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zuluturning left base to final 33Fort Collins - Loveland

Note: There is NO “left final”!


34


# Off the runwayFort Collins - Loveland TrafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zuludown and clear of 33 (not the Active!)taxiing to T-HangarsFort Collins - Loveland


35


# Nearby airport, most people get WRONG (Airport name different than location name) Here is correct one:MacElroy TrafficSkyhawk Two Zero Zulu10 eastplanning right traffic 27Kremmling


36

Bottom LineBottom Line

Join and fly the published pattern.If possible, use 1000 AGL for TPA.Fly the pattern depicted in the AIM.Make proper radio calls in the pattern.


37

SummarySummary

We have discussed proper radio phraseology.Listen, and laugh, and help your friends

improve their communications!Be in the pattern, communicating.Be SAFE!Did you learn something that you can use?Discussion/comments?Then where to get more information.


38

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

FAA aeronautical information manual – AIM Airborne intercept procedures (Print, keep in flight

case):– AIM table 5-6-1 intercepting signals (1-3)– AIM table 5-6-2 intercepting signals (4-6)

AOPA: www.aopa.org FAA advisory circulars:

– AC 90-42F traffic advisory… with control tower…– AC 90-45F traffic advisory… without control tower…– AC 90-66A recommended standard traffic patterns…

Documents

Communications and Traffic Pattern Operations