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How would you handle this traffic pattern?
Hi All,
My first post so a quick introduction. I’m a student trike pilot here in Indiana several hours into the solo phase of my training. I don’t have any piloting experience other than the trike. The majority of my training has been on one of two single runway, private fields with relatively little traffic in the pattern. I’m getting ready to move my trike back to my home airport (KGEZ) which is a small municipal airport with a fair amount more traffic, both GA and some experimental and light sport (Gyros, powered parachutes, etc).
The layout of the two runways is a bit unusual at that airport and I thought I’d get some extra opinions on how best the handle the traffic patterns. The primary runway (1 & 19) is a 5000 ft concrete and used by most GA aircraft (Left traffic pattern on both). About 800 feet off the threshold of 1 and centered on it (i.e. in a “T”) is a 2000 ft grass strip that runs East-West (9 & 27, left traffic pattern on both). Hopefully that makes sense as I can’t figure out how to put a pic in this post.
My question/scenario is that, if I had wind straight out of the East, I’d obviously prefer to use runway 9. However, that wouldn’t be an option for most GA aircraft and they would stick to using 1 most likely. My left pattern on 9 would cross over 1 about 1200 feet in from the threshold. This just seems like a generally bad idea or situation. Has anyone encountered something similar or have any suggestions on how best to handle that situation?
Obviously, I’ll ask my instructor (not at that airport) and locals at KGEZ, but I thought it was worth asking the question here as well.
Thanks.
Jon
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2 Replies
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Im here in Indiana also. I have some questions Id like to ask you if you dont mind. My number is 812 498 4813. Thanks
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Hi Jon, so first off, it really depends on what the airport manager wants. They may ask (require without actual authority) that 1 runway is in use at one time. If there is anything I have learned over the years, it’s try to please the airport management.
At our airport,we use 3 runways at the same time!!! They (tow and jump planes and gliders) use runway 1 to takeoff and 19 to land and then the rest of us use 5 or 23. The threshold of 19 and 23 are nearly touching.
It is very common for a jump plane to take off on 1 while I’m on my departure leg of 5. Radio communication is critical. I can turn out midfield on my Xwind to avoid the intersecting upwinds. It is also common for their final to intersect our downwind and final on 23. Making a 360 on the downwind towards the runway for spacing is a common call.
The bottom line is if everyone is on the radio and you can avoid and keep proper separation you can fly intersecting patterns. But if management doesn’t want you to, then don’t make a habit of it. Needing to land once to get down safely is a lot different than shooting the pattern for an hour on a different runway. ALWAYS do what you need to do to be safe, REGARDLESS of the rules.
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