Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 51

THERE'S NOTHING MORE EMBARRASSING
THAN BLOCKING VFR TRAFFIC ON A BEAUTIFUL
SUMMER AFTERNOON WHILE YOU WAIT
AT THE HOLD SHORT LINES LIKE A NEWBIE.
Whatever you do, don't pull up
to the hold short lines until you are
cleared for release. There's nothing
more embarrassing than blocking VFR
traffic on a beautiful summer afternoon
while you wait at the hold short lines
like a newbie. It's also an unnecessary
stress on your flight, which can lead
to mistakes.
The same kind of thoughtful approach
goes into fitting into the local traffic flow.
The FAA recently released an advisory circular
on communications at nontowered
airports (AC 90-66B), and it states clearly
that as an IFR flight in visual conditions,
it's your responsibility to fit into the
traffic flow. " Pilots conducting instrument
approaches should be particularly alert for
other aircraft in the pattern so as to avoid
interrupting the flow of traffic and should
bear in mind they do not have priority over
other VFR traffic. "
All of us have encountered the pushy
instrument pilot who thinks he can fly
straight in, regardless of how busy the
pattern is. Now the FAA has codified
what common sense and good manners
have always dictated-instrument flights
don't have priority.
Does that mean you should break off
every approach at pattern altitude and
immediately maneuver into the pattern?
Definitely not. But it does mean that a
busy day might result in at least a few
approaches that terminate long before
decision height.
The advisory circular also describes
ways to bring clarity to the mix of IFR
and VFR traffic, starting with proper
radio calls. Again, it's common sense that
polite pilots have always practiced, but
it's worth repeating. Pilots without an
instrument rating, and even some who
do have the rating, don't know where
the local approach fixes are. Make
clear radio calls that describe direction
and distance from the airport, not just
what approach you're on or fix you are
flying over.
Here's another point from the
advisory circular: " Non-instrumentrated
pilots might not understand radio
calls referring to approach waypoints,
depicted headings, or missed approach
procedures. IFR pilots often indicate
that they are on a particular approach,
but that may not be enough information
for a non-IFR-rated pilot to know your
location. It is better to provide specific
direction and distance from the airport,
as well as the pilot's intentions upon
completion of the approach. "
Finally, the AC reminds us that if we
do break off an approach to circle, all
turns must be to the left, unless otherwise
depicted.
Breaking off an approach early
may seem like a wasted training opportunity,
but there will be plenty of times
to fly to minimums. It's a more realistic
scenario that you'll descend through a
high layer and break out to a busy traffic
pattern anyway, so all training time is
useful time. FT
ian.twombly@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
51
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Flight Training - November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - November/December 2023
