A Sarcastic View of Pattern Flying

Why is it that student pilots are being taught to fly traffic patterns that would be too large for even a Boeing 777? AVweb's Paul Bertorelli explores the question in this not-so-gentle but humorous video. Viewer discretion advised.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Avweb
• traffic pattern
• flight instructors
• CFI
• Piper Cub
• Bob Hoover
• downwind
• Paul Bertorelli

[bravobravo74]

I don't know if it's a problem in the US but in the UK there seems to be a lot of people in the villages that surround airfields that take offense to aircraft noise. Local government wants to keep the voting public sweet and consequently forces airfield management to tell pilots to avoid areas X, Y and Z - thus screwing up our circuit patterns. The general aviation community has to bend over and take it so that our airfields don't get closed down and developed into housing estates.

[flyacf]

Love the stripes..

[blastophagus]

Hi there. Just came across this videos. Best thing I ever saw. Earned a couple of those stripes myself throughout the years but still enjoy flight instructions in a `46 J3 on a 1000`grass strip most. Wish there were more of those videos instead discussions about differences whether this or that is a side, turn or whatever slip.

[lowwpass]

Still a hoot after the 4th viewing!!! Now, how about a video on those idiotic "teardop to enter the pattern" things?!

[askii3]

I can barely contain myself every time I look at the epaulettes! LOL

[jaredsega]

Hahahahahhahh Hilarious!!!

[choi3ed]

that is awesome.

I completetly agree. Too many students get themselves into "tight" situations where they have no idea how to get themselves out because they have never flown closer than 1/2 a miles from the rwy.

[donoesau]

RIGHT ON! 

[ugstimmy]

I teach people to fly a pattern so if they lose the engine they can make the runway. Sometimes people like longer finals if they're getting use to a new airplane, the tighten the pattern up after they get use to power settings and decent profiles. Flying a light trail dragger behind a C-152 who is making a jumbo jet patter is frustrating and unnecessary,

[codzomz]

Oh okay, stay at least one mile out from airport and turn base correctly in time or get eaten by Godirra, got it... jesus, this is so much to take in...

[southaustinbrass101]

@pirahna432 - I went to ATP for my CFI licenses. What a weird school.... They also fly the pattern at blueline, which is about as stupid as you can get.

[southaustinbrass101]

This is great, thanks! I got a lot of grief when I went to ATP for my CFI, II, and MEI licenses. They did not like my patterns and wanted me to fly the 172 like a jet, coming in nice and low over the homes under final at VGT. I was taught the way in this video, and teach my students the same thing. Sure, you have power if need be, but you should be able to make power reductions only and stick your spot.