Simviation Forums

Rectangular or oval/circular?

https://www.flyer.co.uk/rectangle-or-ov ... is-better/

I must admit I have always found oval/circular patterns to be easier, without getting lost!

With rectangular patterns I mostly over-shoot the "turn to final" and leave the runway far behind me on my left-hand side!

(Mind you...its not very often that I observe the pattern rules anyway!)..... .... ....1!

Paul.... ...!

https://www.flyer.co.uk/

I've flown the rectangular pattern from the beginning of training for my private pilot's license and made probably two hundred landings. Never had much of a problem. The normal practice is to make a standard 30° banked turn from downwind to base and then another 30° banked turn from base to final. If a pilot follows the same procedure every time (and lot of them don't) and keeps in practice/current there should be no question of the outcome. The big problem is that many private pilots don't keep themselves proficient and don't adhere to procedures. I've watched it many times while working at the GA airport here at KAXN. And don't even ask them to do a preflight by the book or use proper radio procedures!

I really don't see much difference between the two landing patterns personally. A lot depends on how wide a pattern you're flying and how soon you execute the downwind to base-final turn.
This study that's underway should be interesting. UND flies in here a lot so maybe I'll catch them playing in the pattern.

Good morning Paul...

Here are a couple of Links:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=airport+ ... 7&dpr=1.56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airfield_traffic_pattern

Taken from above Link:
While many airfields operate a completely standard pattern, in other cases it will be modified according to need. For example, military airfields often dispense with the crosswind and base legs, but rather fly these as circular arcs directly joining the upwind and downwind sections.

You can also read in the above Link that an aircraft landing or taking off on a Sloped Runway takes off downhill and lands uphill regardless of wind.

It also depends on the aircraft types wing...one always wants to keep the airfield in sight so a circular pattern is more appropriate for some aircraft.

Some sort of Circuit Pattern holds true for landing on water on floats or a seaplane and on frozen water (ice) at a Seaplane/Float-plane Base landing on skis or wheel/skis.

It all comes down to Safety and Keeping the Landing Area in sight.

It can seem to be boring at times, but becoming proficient in the Pattern is both important and is also conscientious of the other Pilots that are in the Pattern.

Happy Turkey Day... enjoy the NFL today!

Alan

Oval every time. I can see the arguments both ways. The oval pattern has its advantages and is quicker, the square pattern is longer but does leave you open to getting caught out later in the approach by the wind as you turn onto final (not much of an issue in a slackening wind, but potentially more dangerous in a "tightening" wind).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6q2VKsvQEQ[/youtube]

Makes perfect sense to me.

Cheers
Rich