CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 4 - 21

CFI TIPS
SOME AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TALK AS FAST AS
AUCTIONEERS AS THEY INSTRUCT PILOTS TO ENTER
ON A BASE LEG OR STRAIGHT IN-NOT THE 45 TO
DOWNWIND THAT MANY OF US ROUTINELY USE AT
NONTOWERED AIRPORTS.
IT CAN BE INTIMIDATING FOR A STUDENT OR RUSTY
PILOT TO FLY TO AN UNFAMILIAR TOWERED AIRPORT,
ESPECIALLY IF THEIR HOME AIRPORT IS NONTOWERED.
I'll even admit that this rusty CFI had a recent
experience of being way behind and underprepared for
just such a flight. Some air traffic controllers talk as
fast as auctioneers as they instruct pilots to enter on
a base leg or straight in-not the 45 to downwind that
many of us routinely use at nontowered airports. Plus,
the combination of needing to be situationally aware,
prepared to report position, and respond promptly to
the controllers can be overwhelming. But with thorough
planning, and a flight instructor in the right seat for
coaching and moral support, it can be fun. Really.
Thorough preparation begins on the ground before the
flight. Your student should gather information that will
be needed while en route as well as after landing. Once
the student has the radio frequencies, airport diagram,
chart supplement, and weather information, he can plan
each step along the way before even taking off. Having
thought through the scenarios that may arise ensures your
student is better planned to professionally handle both the
expected and the unexpected.
As a starting point, based on the wind direction and speed
your student should anticipate which runway(s) will be in
use. And based on his arrival heading, he should anticipate
the approach to the runway. For example, if arriving from
the north to an airport with a north/south runway and
an east/west runway, the student may be cleared for a
straight in approach southbound, or instructed to enter
on the base leg for the westerly runway. Thinking these
scenarios through while on the ground will help reduce
the possibility of being caught off guard while in the air.
In flight, tuning in the AWOS or ATIS, and then tower
frequency, 20 miles out will provide current weather
conditions and the current flow of traffic. That will further
help your student visualize how he will fit into that flow.
Are smaller aircraft being directed to one runway, and
larger aircraft to another? Is there a checkpoint that pilots
are being asked to report? Remind your student to keep
a pen handy. Actually writing the approach on a paper
diagram is a great habit and excellent way to visualize the
situation.
For a pilot who is accustomed to flying a standard pattern
at a nontowered airport, entering on a base leg or straight
in greatly reduces the pattern time. Things will feel like
they're happening quicker than usual. Therefore, tasks
that can be accomplished earlier than usual will help avoid
a stressful and potentially dangerous situation in which
everything has to happen at once. Teach your students
to begin the descent sooner, and to complete descent and
pre-landing checklists earlier. Otherwise, tasks will pile
up and the student may need to go around if he is too far
behind the aircraft.
One special treat to enjoy after all the hard work on
arrival is the VASI or PAPI that is likely to be located at
the towered airport. It's a resource your student may not
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 4

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