CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 3 - 37

CFI TOOLS
to really ingrain the site picture. This is time well invested,
as the first step in a stabilized approach to landing is proper,
consistent pattern placement.
MANY STUDENTS ASSUME THAT THE TRAFFIC
PATTERN AROUND AN AIRPORT IS LIKE A HIGHWAY
IN THE SKY WITH AIRPLANES LINING UP IN A NEAT,
ORGANIZED CONVOY INBOUND FOR LANDING-BUT
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Follow up with ongoing ground briefs using tracking
software, such as for example Foreflight Breadcrumbs,
Garmin Track, or Cloudahoy 3-D Track, to view the
consistency of pattern execution-especially when
the training session includes multiple pattern transits
and landings.
In terms of scanning for other traffic in the pattern, be
alert to the fact that many students assume that the traffic
pattern around an airport is like a highway in the sky with
airplanes lining up in a neat, organized convoy inbound
for landing-but nothing could be further from the truth.
Even when everyone is where they are supposed to be (yeah,
right), different aircraft require different pattern widths
and heights for safe and efficient operation. As the FAA's
Airplane Flying Handbook chapter on airport traffic
patterns establishes the runway offset of the downwind leg
between one-half to one mile in distance, this means that
traffic exercising good pattern discipline can be located
anywhere on a 2,640-foot wide " road " in the sky. Ensure
your learners scan both inboard and outboard of their
courses, rather than fixating on the airspace dead ahead.
That is, if your student is scanning at all. Because, let's face
it, pilot workload is at maximum for students preparing
for landing-as may be their stress level. So, they may stop
scanning right at the moment they most should be-in the
traffic pattern. The majority of midairs occur in the traffic
pattern, so be alert for that.
Of course, the absolute, number one best thing you can do
to help your learner master traffic pattern discipline is to
exercise discipline in its use yourself as your learner will
model your behavior. That's not to say that there's no value
in teaching a straight-in approach, but exceptions to proper
pattern use should be clearly identified as such, and the
reason behind the deviation clearly spelled out to the learner.
Next Time: Modifying the pre-landing checklist for
student safety.
William Dubois is an FAA Safety Team rep and a rare
" double " Master Ground Instructor accredited by both NAFI and
MICEP. An AOPA member since 1983, he holds a commercial
pilot certificate and has a degree in aviation technology. He was
recognized as a Distinguished Flight Instructor in the 2021
AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards.
Training Tip:
Traffic Pattern
Entry
In this 2-minute video, AOPA Air Safety
Institute Senior VP Richard McSpadden
offers safety tips for entering the traffic
pattern at non-towered airports.
To watch the video, click on the
multimedia icon in the image.
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/09_afh_ch8.pdf
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 3

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