Judging what runway to land on

[ChimaeraZone]

So whenever I come into a airport and they tell me what runway to land on, I usually use my GPS then click on proc then select approach but, for a lot of airports it doesn't work. I know the runways line up with the heading, so if I was granted permission to land at runway 2 I would line my heading up with 2. My question is: Is there any easier way?

[mjrhealth]

Depends on what you are flying. Best if you are not sure, overfly the airport at around 800Ft AGL than fly a cct that will bring you back into line with the runway you are need basically what carrier pilots do. It is recommended on unman d airports to make sure there is nothing on or wrong with the runway. Once you do it a couple of times it isnt hard.

google flying circuits. Lots of info on the web, thats what it is there fore, besides stealing peoples money and privacy.

[ChimaeraZone]

Depends on what you are flying. Best if you are not sure, overfly the airport at around 800Ft AGL than fly a cct that will bring you back into line with the runway you are need basically what carrier pilots do. It is recommended on unman d airports to make sure there is nothing on or wrong with the runway. Once you do it a couple of times it isnt hard.

google flying circuits. Lots of info on the web, thats what it is there fore, besides stealing peoples money and privacy.

Thank you.

[PhantomTweak]

That's called an "Overhead" recovery. Great way to inspect the runway and check wind direction. The turn they make from upwind to downwind is called "The Break", and is a great way to bleed airspeed so the gear and flaps can be lowered without letting the engines spool down, thus maintainging the proper energy level for the weight of the aircraft, AOA, and the desired glideslope. Also provides horizontal separation from others in the flight for proper landing separation, and thus timing, permitting one plane to clear the runway before the next lands.

And so, there, in a nutshell, is the story behind the famous "Overhead" Recovery.

I also refer you to F18-ABCD-000.pdf, an Adobe Acrobat file readily available on the net. It's the FA-18 A/B/C/and D models NATOPS, or NavAir TacOps manual. It contains an exact "how to" of the overhead for both carriers and ground bases. From VFR thru CAT III IFR. The basics are the same for all aircraft from a Piper J3 Cub to an X-35.

Pat☺

[paly]

Yeah, the 'Standard Overhead Join' is what you need to search images of.

The most valuable info I ever got in understanding circuits:
When Tower directs you to 'Join LEFT Downwind...' as you approach the field (field in sight) you keep the airfield on your LEFT.
If you are instructed to 'Make RIGHT Downwind...' you keep the airfield on your RIGHT. Simple.

What this also does is gives you a clearer idea when you look at your compass as to which way the runway is heading
It is surprising what this little gem of knowledge does to help you orientate in your mind where you will most likely end up as you fly alongside the runway (when you get there).
But even without the runway in sight, you'll have a pretty good idea of it's position and heading

P.S If there's no Tower, Unicomm will give you a choice of Runways. Just 'play' tower, give yourself a Runway Number and Circuit and the same applies
(Although with no Tower I usually end up ignoring my choice when I get there)