CFI Pop Quiz #125 - Depart

[Chris Burgess]

What is the correct departure procedure at a noncontrolled airport?

A) The FAA-approved departure procedure for that airport.
B) Make all left turns, except a 45 degree right turn on the first crosswind leg.
C) Departure in any direction consistent with safety, after crossing the airport boundary.

Bonus: Regulation number Please

[Caribean_gyro]

ANSWERD IS "a"
AC 90-66A—Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns and Practices for Aeronautical Operations at Airports without Operating Control Towers
Airport owners and operators, in coordination with the FAA, are responsible for establishing traffic patterns. However, the FAA encourages airport owners and operators to establish traffic patterns as recommended in this AC. Further, left traffic patterns should be established except where obstacles, terrain, and noise sensitive areas dictate otherwise. Appendix 1 contains diagrams for recommended standard traffic patterns.

a. Prior to entering the traffic pattern at an airport without an operating control tower, aircraft should avoid the flow of traffic until established on the entry leg. For example, wind and landing direction indicators can be checked while at an altitude above the traffic pattern. When the proper traffic pattern direction has been determined, the pilot should then proceed to a point well clear of the pattern before descending to the pattern altitude.

b. Arriving aircraft should be at the appropriate traffic pattern altitude before entering the traffic pattern. Entry to the downwind leg should be at a 45 degree angle abeam the midpoint of the runway.

c. It is recommended that airplanes observe a 1,000-foot above ground level (AGL) traffic pattern altitude. Large and turbine powered airplanes should enter the traffic pattern at an altitude of 1,500 feet AGL or 500 feet above the established pattern altitude. A pilot may vary the size of the traffic pattern depending on the aircraft's performance characteristics.

d. The traffic pattern altitude should be maintained until the aircraft is at least abeam the approach end of the landing runway on the downwind leg.

e. The base leg turn should commence when the aircraft is at a point approximately 45 degrees relative bearing from the runway threshold.

f. Landing and takeoff should be accomplished on the operating runway most nearly aligned into the wind. However, if a secondary runway is used, pilots using the secondary runway should avoid the flow of traffic to the runway most nearly aligned into the wind.

g. Airplanes on takeoff should continue straight ahead until beyond the departure end of the runway. Aircraft executing a go-around maneuver should continue straight ahead, beyond the departure end of the runway, with the pilot maintaining awareness of other traffic so as not to conflict with those established in the pattern. In cases where a go-around was caused by an aircraft on the runway, maneuvering parallel to the runway may be required to maintain visual contact with the conflicting aircraft.

h. Airplanes remaining in the traffic pattern should not commence a turn to the crosswind leg until beyond the departure end of the runway and within 300 feet below traffic pattern altitude, with the pilot ensuring that the turn to downwind leg will be made at the traffic pattern altitude.

i. When departing the traffic pattern, airplanes should continue straight out or exit with a 45-degree left turn (right turn for right traffic pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway after reaching pattern altitude. Pilots need to be aware of any traffic entering the traffic pattern prior to commencing a turn.

j. Airplanes should not be operated in the traffic pattern at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

k. Throughout the traffic pattern, right of way rules apply as stated in FAR Part 91.113. Any aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other aircraft. In addition, when converging aircraft are of different categories, a balloon has the right of way over any other category of aircraft; a glider has the right of way over an airship, airplane, or rotorcraft; and an airship has the right of way over an airplane or rotorcraft.

[mark treidel]

'A' is correct. Depart per airport established proceedure.

[Paul_Zurawski]

(a)...if there is a DP for an airport, its usually for obstacle clearance, or noise abatement.

[JByrd]

Hi Chris,

I am going to stick my neck out and answer "B" based upon an interpretation of AC 90-66A.

Jim

[dabkb2]

im going to say A mabe im right

[Chris Burgess]

"A" is correct here. Remember, the FAA wants the most correct answer. This can sometimes influence your choice. We could argue that there is no regulation that addresses departure from an airport in Class "G" airspace. Departures are not discussed until we get to Class "E". Anybody agree on this? Reference 14 CFR 91.126

Advisory Circulars are not regulations. They provide guidance and information.