BASICS OF AVIATION 2

THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

 THE TRAFFIC PATTERN
• To assure that air traffic flows into and out of an airport in an orderly manner, an
airport traffic pattern is established based on the local conditions, to include the
direction and altitude of the pattern and the procedures for entering and leaving
the pattern.

Sometimes called Traffic Circuit

CHARACTERISTICS
• Orderly flow of traffic
• Most often only on one side of the runway (right or left traffic pattern depending
on the wind direction)
• Pattern altitude: 1000 ft AAL (Above Aerodrome Level)
• Airplanes on the traffic pattern have priority over the ones intending to join
• 90° Turns are made on the pattern

DEPARTURE LEG
 EXAMPLE AIRFIELD
Windsock Runway Runway Designator
Runway Threshold Runway Magnetic direction rounded
to 10 and the final 0 omitted.
Example:
Taxiway Runway track: 043° MAG -> RWY04
Departure end
Runway track: 125° MAG -> RWY13
of Runway
Parallel runways are designated as
Parking
Left, Right, Centre
Fuel Tower Area
Example: RWY 13 L
Station AFIS
Hangar

Elevation: 1000 ft AMSL Traffic Pattern: 27 LH, 09 RH, 1000 ft AGL

Callsign: Airfield INFO RWY 09 TODA/TORA: 600 m, 086° MAG
Frequency: 118.120 RWY 27 TODA/TORA: 600 m, 266° MAG
Magnetic Variation: 4°E Runway surface: Short grass
 EXAMPLE AIRFIELD TRAFFIC PATTERN
DEPARTURE LEG
Elev: 1000 ft FINAL
QFE: 0 ft

Altitude
Altitude 1500 ft AMSL
1500 ft AMSL Track Track
MAG: 266° MAG: 266°
Track
CROSSWIND LEG MAG: 356°

Track Track BASE LEG

MAG: 176° MAG: 86°

Altitude Altitude
2000 ft AMSL 2000 ft AMSL
Elevation: 1000 ft AMSL DOWNWIND LEG
Traffic Pattern: 27 LH, 09 RH, 1000 ft AGL
Callsign: Airfield INFO RWY 09 TODA/TORA: 600 m, 086° MAG
Frequency: 118.120 RWY 27 TODA/TORA: 600 m, 266° MAG
Magnetic Variation: 4°E Runway surface: Short grass
DEPARTURE LEG
• Perform normal take-off
• Keep the departure track and climb attitude
• At safe altitude (200-300 ft AAL)
• Reduce power to climb power Reference
• Lower nose
• Retract flaps
• Continue with climb speed
CROSSWIND TURN
Target
• At a pre-determined altitude (usually 500 ft
AAL)
• Climbing turn in the direction of the traffic
pattern
• After the turn look back to the runway to assess Looking at a target 90° before the turn
the turn (90°)
• Continue climb on the crosswind leg
• Expect crosswind correction

Looking back to the runway after the turn

Maintaining climb horizon and bank
DOWNWIND LEG
• Upon seeing the departure end of the runway at a 45° angle a turn to the
crosswind should be made
• By this time or shortly after the turn the traffic pattern altitude is reached
(transitioning to level flight)
• Assessing the distance from the runway
• With a high-wing aircraft the runway
centerline should be between half
and upper third point of the wing
strut
• Maintain track and check engine Runway centerline
instruments, fuel gauges
BASE TURN
• Upon seeing the runway threshold at a 45° angle
• Radio call shall be made saying position (base) and intention
• ”HA-BDY turning left hand base for runway 04, intention touch-and-go”
• Turn to the base should be made
• Level turn
BASE LEG
• After finishing the base turn a descent path shall be established depending on the
distance from the runway
• The airspeed shall be decreased
• Preparation for the approach
• The descent progress should be scross-checked against the runway position
FINAL
• At an adequate distance from the runway centerline a turn to the final shall be
made (descending turn)
• Be careful, the turning radius will depend on the wind direction and strength
• After the final turn
• Straight approach towards the runway
• Managing a constant descent path
• Setting up the final speed and
configuration for the landing Aiming
Point
• Stabilised approach
• Aiming Point: The point on the
ground where the descend path
intersects the ground
• Runway perspective and position
in relation to the pilot’s view
should not change
FINAL

Runway length perspective

Aiming Point position
MAINTAINING THE DESCEND PATH PITCH + POWER ALWAYS TOGETHER!

• Perspective and relative position of the runway should not change

Getting too high On the path Getting too low

• Reduce power (even to idle) • Maintain constact rate of • Increase power (may require
• Lower nose to return to path descent large increase due to drag from
• Maintain stable approach the flaps)
speed • Raise nose to return to path
TOUCHDOWN
• At about 10-20 feet above the ground slowly reduce power and increase pitch to
decrease airspeed and rate of descent
• Continuously increase pitch as the airspeed decays to compensate for the loss of
lift
• If done correctly the main wheels will touch down on the sound of the stall
warning
 GO-AROUND
• Manoeuvre to discontinue the approach
• Reasons Retract remaining flaps
• Unstabilized Approach Climb power, climb
• Hazard on Runway attitude
• Winds Favor Another Runway
• Assigned by ATC Positive rate of climb
Apply max power, adjust
pitch attitude, and allow
airspeed to increase

Timely decision to
make go-around
Assume climb attitude
flaps to intermediate
RADIO COMMUNICATION ON THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

Airfield INFO Hotel Alpha Alpha Bravo

HA-ABC Airfield INFO readability 5, runway
Charlie radio check
in use 27, QNH 1009

Runway in use 27, QNH 1009 HA-ABC

HA-ABC say intention
Taxiing to holding point RWY27
HA-ABC roger, taxi at your own discretion HA-ABC
RADIO COMMUNICATION ON THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

Airfield INFO HA-ABC at holding point

HA-ABC RWY27 is free
RWY27 ready for departure
Wind is 270° at 10 kts

Lining up and take off RWY 27

HA-ABC

SBY
ALT
 RADIO COMMUNICATION ON THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

HA-ABC RWY27 is free

HA-ABC turning left hand base for RWY 27
Wind is 270° at 10 kts
intention
• Fullstop landing
• Touch and go
• Low approach

HA-ABC RWY vacated taxiing to the hangar

THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

BEFORE START PROCEDURE
1. Pre-flight walk-around .............................. COMPLETE
2. Seat and Seatbelt ...................................... SET and ADJUST
3. Doors ........................................................ CLOSED and LOCKED
4. Parking brake ............................................ SET
5. Battery and main bus switch ..................... ON
6. Alternator ................................................. CHECK GUARDED
7. Avionics master switch ............................. OFF
8. Circuit brakers (CBs) ................................. CHECK
9. Alternate air door ...................................... CLOSE
10. Thrust lever ............................................... CHECK (free movement), IDLE
11. Fuel shut off valve ..................................... PUSH IN (push full forward)
12. Fuel selector valve .................................... BOTH
13. Nav & Beacon lights .................................. ON
14. Electric fuel pump ..................................... ON
START CHECKLIST
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

ENGINE START PROCEDURE
1. Aircraft area & propeller ...............................CLEAR
2. Engine master switch ...................................ON (wait until glowing light
extinguishes)
3. STARTER .....................................................ENGAGE (wait min. 500 RPM)

If no parking brake is used PROP CLEAR?!

always press the brakes
during engine start!

CAUTION! Do not overheat the starter motor.

Do not operate the starter for more than 10 seconds.
3 After operating the starter, the cool-down period is 20
2
seconds. After 6 start attempts cool-down period is
half an hour.
 ENGINE START PROCEDURE
1. Oil pressure .................................................CHECK (min. 1 bar after 3 sec)
2. Ammeter .....................................................CHECK
3. Voltage meter ..............................................CHECK
4. Electric fuel pump ........................................OFF
5. Flaps ...........................................................CHECK, RETRACTED

5
2 3

4
 AFTER START PROCEDURE
NOTE: The engine must run on IDLE power (890 RPM) for at least 2 minutes.

• FADEC Backup battery test ................. PERFORM (min. 10 sec)

• Alternator ......................................... OFF
• Battery ............................................. OFF
• FADEC light ...................................... CHECK – EXTINGUISHED
-wait 10 seconds at least, the engine should continue to operate normally-
• Battery ............................................. ON 1 5
• Alternator ......................................... ON

2
4

3
AFTER START PROCEDURE
1. Avionics master switch ......................... ON (if installed)
2. Audio panel .......................................... ON (check intercom between crew
member)
3. NAV/COM ............................................. SET, ON (check, if active frequency is
tuned)
4. Transponder ......................................... STBY (code 7000)

SBY 7000
AFTER START CHECKLIST
TAXI
Make sure that the VHF communication is established, frequencies and
volume are set
• Taxi Clearance ...................................... REQUEST
• Taxi light .............................................. ON
Before releasing the brake, check the aircraft area for any obstacle and
traffic
• Parking brake ....................................... RELEASE
• Taxi ...................................................... BEGIN
On poor surface taxi with slightly nose up elevator. Maintain constant low
speed with power and brake as needed
• Flight controls ...................................... CHECK
• Check the rudder with left and right turns and check the brakes gently
• Check elevator and aileron full travel and free movement
• Set the trims to take-off position
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

 BEFORE TAKE-OFF PROCEDURE
NOTE: If the engine is still cold set RPM to 1400 until the oil temperature reaches 50°C
(green), coolant 60°C (green) min. take-off fuel temperature is -30°C.

• Thrust lever ............................................................IDLE, FADEC light is OFF

• CAUTION! If the thrust lever is not in IDLE position FADEC test is not available
• FADEC test button ..................................................PRESS AND HOLD DURING ENTIRE TEST
- Both FADEC lights are ON – RPM increases
- FADEC automatically switches to “B” (only FADEC “B” light is ON)
RPM
- Propeller control excited – RPM decreases
- FADEC automatically switches to “A” (only FADEC “A” light is ON) (RPM increases)
- Propeller control excited – RPM decreases
- FADEC light goes off, IDLE RPM reached
• FADEC test button ..................................................RELEASE
NOTE: The procedure must be performed without any failure or flashing FADEC light!

Warning! If there prolonged engine misfire occurs, FADEC lights are flashing, or the
engine shuts down during test TAKE-OFF PROHIBITED, even if the engine seems to run
without any failure after the test.
BEFORE TAKE-OFF PROCEDURE
• Force “B” Test .........................................................COMPLETE
- Force B switch to Force B
- Force B switch to automatic (guarded position)
• Take-off power (full load)........................................CHECK
To protect propeller blades from damage this should be performed early in
the take-off roll. (Thrust lever full FORWARD min 94 % 2240-2300 RPM)

A slight jolt may be felt upon switching to FADEC B but

the engine should continue to operate normally thus it
can be verifyed that FADEC B can control the engine.
FLAP SETTING FOR TAKE-OFF
• Flaps 0°-10°
• Set take-off thrust Warning! Flaps setting more than 10° is prohibited!
• Lift nose at 55KIAS / 63 MPH
Warning! To avoid propeller damage on the ground, the
• Climb with 65-80 KIAS / 75-92 MPH throttle should be advanced slowly, and the take-off power
should be checked early in the take-off roll.

Paved surface Soft surface

Flaps 0° Flaps 10°
BEFORE TAKE-OFF INSTRUMENT CHECK AND SETTING
• Altimeter .............................................. CHECK, set local QNH
• Vertical speed indicator ........................ CHECK, 0
• Attitude indicator.................................. CHECK, horizontal bar adjusted to 0
• Airspeed indicator ................................ CHECK, 0 kts
• Turn and slip indicator .......................... ON
• Magnetic compass, Directional gyro ..... SET and ALIGNED
• Annunciators ........................................ CHECKED (if installed)
TAKE-OFF CHECKLIST
LINE-UP
• Before line-up, always check the runway and the approach sector for possible
traffic and hazard (e.g. bird migration)
• Switch the appropriate lights (Strobe light ON, Landing light ON, Taxi light OFF)
• Report ready for departure / intention of departure
• Set transponder to Mode C and check time
• Enter the runway and align the aircraft with the runway course

!
• Check magnetic compass indication and compare it with the known runway
course, set gyro compass
• Check the windsock to determine the possible crosswind effect on the take-off
roll
 TAKE-OFF ROLL
• Make sure that your heels are on the floor to avoid applying brakes inadvertently
while adjusting the rudder
• Advance the thrust smoothly to take-off power (it takes 3-5 sec. from idle)
• Use rudder to compensate for yaw, stay on the centerline

Accelerate close to Initial climb with

Check take-off power At 45 KIAS / 52 the ground 70 KIAS / 80 MPH
Lift nose at 55 KIAS (Target pitch 10° up)
Minimum 94%, 2240-2300 RPM MPH check again
/ 63 MPH
(early in the take-off roll) the take-off power
CROSSWIND TAKE-OFF
AFTER TAKE-OFF
• Set flaps up (when flaps up is selected, the aircraft tends to pitch down)
PILOT MUST MAINTAIN CLIMB PITCH!
• Reduce power to 85%
• Switch off the Electric Fuel Pump
• Switch off the Landing Light
• Climb 70 KIAS / 80 MPH

RPM
85%
AFTER TAKE-OFF CHECKLIST
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

REACHING 500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL
• 90° turn to the crosswind
• 20-25° bank and maintain climb pitch
• After the turn look back to the airfrield to adjust heading if needed

Target
 TURNING FOR DOWNWIND
• Complete the turn and look for the runway again to adjust your heading to fly
parallel to the runway.
• Approaching traffic altitude (about 50 feet before reaching it) slowly reduce pitch
attitude to the cruising horizon. Let the aircraft accelerate close to cruising speed
(90 KIAS / 100 MPH), reduce power and maintain the speed (50-55%).
• Trim the aircraft (the rudder trim is set for cruise speed)

Runway centerline
RPM
55%

Reduce pitch
DOWNWIND LEG
• Check your distance from the runway
several times, and find a heading that
compensates for the drift caused by the
crosswind component of the wind abeam
• Check engine parameters, fuel quantity
• Maintain altitude and speed (adjust power
accordingly)
• Maintain heading (adjust, if needed)
• Notice abeam field and prepare to execute
base turn when the runway is at 35-45°
behind the wing trailing edge
SUMMARY
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

THE BASE TURN
• Reduce airspeed to the flap limit speed
• Perform the turn when seeing the runway threshold at a 45° angle
• Level turn at 20-25° bank angle 90° to the base leg
• Timing and position of the base turn is important for the proper descent path
 THE BASE LEG
• Pay attention to the wind (under usual circumstancies you should expect
crosswind on the base leg)
• Powe glide
• Reduced power steady descent path (3-3,5°) from where you begin the descent (key point)
• The pilot must continuously monitor the aircraft position to the runway (the
distance to the runway comparing to the height of the aircraft).

Variable factors affecting the key point and descent:

• Wind direction and other weather phenomena
• Aircraft weight
• Traffic around the airport and noise sensitive area
• Height above the ground
 AT THE KEY POINT
1. Reduce the power close to idle (appr. 15-18%)
2. Wait until the speed decreases below flaps extended speed.
3. Extend flaps to 10°
4. Reduce and maintain the speed (70 KIAS / 80 MPH)
5. Slowly lower the nose to the descent path attitude
6. Select Fuel Selector valve to “BOTH”
7. Try to maintain the desired descent path and speed with the appropriate pitch and power setting.
8. Look out and continuously check your position to the runway (aiming point).

RPM
15%
 ADJUSTING THE PATH
If you are high
RPM 1. Reduce power
2. Put the nose down
3. Maintain speed and rejoin
the path
4. Trim

If you are low

1. Increase power
2. Raise the nose
3. Maintain speed and rejoin
the path
4. Trim RPM
TURNING THE FINAL
• Monitor the runway during the base turn to time the final turn
• Consider the wind and path angle during a turn
• When turning for final watch the runway as it moves to the fron of the cabin and
adjust the bank angle to finish on the final
• If you see that you dont reach the centerline (undershoot the final)
• Reduce the bank angle
• If you see that you will cross the runway centerline (overshoot the final)
• Increase the bank angle
(maximum 35°)
AFTER THE FINAL TURN
1. Select flaps 20° (max 85 KIAS/98 MPH) in time (to allow time reconfigure the
aircraft for landing) maintain 63 KIAS/73 MPH
2. Switch on the electric fuel pump
3. Switch on the landing lights NOTE: When you set the next flap, the shape of the wing
4. Trim the aircraft changes quickly, creating more lift, consequently, you must
keep the nose down. However, after a few seconds, as the
extended flaps create more drag, the speed will decrease
and the nose should be raised back almost to the previous
angle, you must add some power to be able to maintain the
speed with the current angle and flap setting.

RPM
LANDING CHECKLIST

It is not the final configuration but ‘CHECKED’ has a

reminder function for the pilot in order not to forget to set
final flap setting.
SHORT FINAL
At the safe altitude (200-300 ft AGL):
1. Set landing flaps (30°- 40°) (max speed 85 KIAS / 98 MPH) and maintain 60 KIAS
/ 70 MPH
2. Add power, as necessary
3. TRIM THE AIRCRAFT PROPERLY!

RPM
BASE LEG AND FINAL

200-300 ft AGL
LDG FUEL
LT PUMP
FLARE
At 10-20 feet above the ground
1. Slowly increase the pitch to reduce vertical speed but
continue to get closer to the ground and at the same time
2. Reduce the power to idle
3. Maintain the aircraft just above the ground surface.
4. Increase the backpressure slowly, the aircraft will fly
parallel to the surface until it settles down on the runway
with a slightly nose-high attitude

NOTE: One hand must be on the yoke and the other

one on the throttle. The pilot must monitor the
aircraft’s relation to the ground by focusing on the area
on the ground about 25° to the left and about 30 m far
(sitting on the left side)
DO NOT FOCUS ON THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT!
FLARE
• As the aircraft slows down more back pressure is needed to compensate for the
decreasing amount of lift
• Timing and pace of the nose up input is crucial
• Increasing the back-pressure too early will cause the aircraft to climb with too low airspeed
• Increasing the back-pressure too late will cause the aircraft to touch the ground too hard and
will bounce back into the air
• Firm yet precise controls are required
• Keep the aircraft above the centerline (lateral control)
TOUCHDOWN
• After the main wheels touch down keep the nose-high attitude
• Avoid letting the nose gear touch the ground at high speed
• Keep the aircraft on the centerline with the rudder
• Apply smooth braking
• As the aircraft slows down gently let the nose gear to the ground
• Continue slowing down
• Be prepared to exit the runway (don’t stop on the runway blocking it from
incoming traffic)
CONSIDERATIONS DURING APPROACH
• Effect of headwind on final approach
 CONSIDERATIONS DURING APPROACH

Effect of flaps on the landing point

Effect of flaps on the approach angle

CROSSWIND LANDING

During approach crab into the

wind (forward slip)

At flare transition to
sideslip (aircraft
longitudinal axis parallel
to the runway)
 CROSSWIND LANDING - FLARE
• Transitioning from crabbing to sideslip
• Rudder against the wind to put the nose parallel to the
runway
• Bank into the wind
• Small corrections
• May be possible that only one wheel touches down first

Example on the picture

1. At flare height reduce power, apply left
rudder
2. Bank to the right to keep the aircraft At flare transition to
above the centerline sideslip (aircraft
3. Increase back pressure as the aircraft longitudinal axis parallel
slows down to the runway)
4. Touch down on the right wheel
SUMMARY
 GO-AROUND

”GO AROUND” ”After positive rate established”

• Full power • Speed 65 KIAS / 75 MPH
• Nose UP (for a shallow climb) • Flaps UP
• Wings level • Report Go-around to ATC

”At 300 ft AGL”

• Climb power, climb pitch
• Fuel pump OFF
• Landing Light OFF
NOTE
• Speed 70 KIAS / 80 MPH
Be prepared to increase pitch as the
flaps are retracted, the aircraft will
sink during the process!
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

1. Description of the traffic pattern

2. Traffic Pattern procedures with the diesel C172

1. Before start

2. Engine start and taxi

3. Take-off

4. On the traffic pattern

5. Approach and landing

6. After landing and parking

UPON VACATING THE RUNWAY
1. Report runway vacated, taxi intentions
• ”HA-BDY runway vacated, taxiing to the parking area”
2. Flaps – RETRACT
3. Electric Fuel Pump – OFF
4. Taxi light – ON
5. Landing & Strobe light – OFF
6. Transponder - STBY

SBY 7000
PARKING
Address: PHARMAFLIGHT Zrt. 4030 Debrecen Szatke Ferenc u. 1. Hungary
Tel: +36 52 870 270
Fax: +36 1 870 271
Email: info@pharmaflight.hu