Landing Pattern Terminology

CHAPTER SEVEN CHG 4

T-34C CONTACT

Pattern Interval. Determine the number of aircraft and visually acquire each aircraft to

determine the proper interval. You have "interval" when any of the following conditions

occur:

The aircraft ahead of you is abeam or behind your wingtip AND has completed at

least 90 of turn.

The aircraft ahead has departed in accordance with course rules or simulated Low

Altitude Power Loss from the Pattern (LAPL(P)).

At a tower-controlled field, the above conditions are met, AND you are cleared by the

controller.

At Navy Corpus: If the preceding aircraft is a full stop, the proper interval is 45

behind your wingtip.

NOTE

For AOA approaches (either you or the preceding aircraft), your

instructor will judge the proper interval for the crosswind turn.

Upwind. The extended runway centerline past the departure end.

Downwind. That portion of the racetrack pattern offset from the runway in the opposite

direction of landing.

Crosswind Turn. The turn between upwind and downwind.

Abeam. The position in the racetrack pattern abeam the intended point of landing at

pattern altitude.

10.

180 Position. The position in the racetrack pattern opposite the intended rollout point.

11. 90 Position. The bisector between the 180 and intended rollout point. The aircraft should

be 450 feet AGL and perpendicular to the runway. Airspeed is dependent on the type of

approach. (Civil equivalent: BASE LEG)

12. Final. The extended centerline of the runway with 1200-1500 feet of straightaway at an

altitude between 100 and 150 feet AGL. Airspeed is dependent on the type of approach.

13. Intended Point of Landing. This is the point on the runway where you intend to touch

down. Many outlying fields have a box painted on the runway to assist in referencing the

position for landing. Touchdowns should be made on centerline at the intended point of landing

to 500 feet past that point. If a crash truck, wheels watch, runway duty officer, etc. is positioned

at the approach end of the duty runway, do not touch down prior to them. TW-4 exception:

Refer to local Course Rules for operations at Aransas County Airport. TW-5 exception: Touch

down prior to the RDO cart at NAS Whiting Field is allowed.

7-2 LANDING PROCEDURES