Comments on: Keep to the Right

By: John Lewis

John Lewis — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:22:05 +0000

I agree strongly that adding traffic pattern info to IAP charts would improve safety.
Among other things, if you have to divert to an unfamiliar airport and then circle to land, it would sure be helpful to know which direction to circle without digging for the airport directory or sectional at a high-workload time.

By: David A. Strahle, MD, CFI-AI

David A. Strahle, MD, CFI-AI — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:21:38 +0000

BRUCE – GREAT IDEA. WHAT HAS THE FAA SAID ABOUT ALL THE POSITIVE RESPONSES?

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:00:55 +0000

I’m definately for it. This is a great idea. I am a newly rated instrument pilot and the thought of having this on the IAP would be really helpful. I would also like it on the VFR sectional for another quick reference.

By: millard alexander

millard alexander — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:36:21 +0000

i think this would be a great idea. even under vfr conditions, i always use approach plates, which contain all the useful information about a particular airport, EXCEPT the traffic pattern direction.

By: Nadeem Hasan

Nadeem Hasan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:23:00 +0000

Yes. The notation on VFR sectional is useful and I use and rely on it all the time. I would be similarly useful on the NACO approach plates.

By: David S. Twining

David S. Twining — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:04:09 +0000

Good Idea although I fly with Flight Guide which I find more helpful than the AFD.
I also use Jepp IAP’s while in my local area.(NW) otherwise I downlload the FAA charts and this would be one more opportunity to catch a RP. This would be particularly useful when breaking out above VFR pattern altitude for a circle-to-land. Missing the right hand pattern, then, might be hazardous.

By: John Jones

John Jones — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:19:51 +0000

The inclusion of pattern traffic information on IFR approach plates is a must do. I never understood why it wasn’t part of the plates in the first place. Many times an approach will conclude in a circling maneuver and there often times isn’t enough time to access this information when single pilot IFR at night and uncontrolled. It’s a situation that presents itself rather quickly especially when it is an unplanned approach such as when re-routing for fuel or weather that was unforeseen. I also agree with a previous post that inclusion in the AWOS/ASOS also makes sense.

By: Tim McCollum

Tim McCollum — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:08:04 +0000

While we are wishing for improvements lets also add it to AWOS / ASOS. It would only take 2 seconds of airtime.

By: George Horn

George Horn — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:11:13 +0000

YES….but GRAPHIC DEPICTION is even better. Example: The sectional chart illustration at the beginning of this article describes R 18 27, but Bruce’s textual description quotes R 5 12. IT took several moments for me, sitting at a table, to mentally picture the necessary patterns at Homestead General airport. A small arrow or “L” (directional indicator- not alphabetical) or “_|” at each end of depicted runways would be information-at-a-glance not requiring mental gymnastics in a moving cockpit. GET RID OF THE TEXT “R” OR “L” descriptions.
USE GRAPHICS!

By: Don

Don — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:52:24 +0000

Fantastic idea! I spend several minutes writing in both TP direction and altitudes on my IAPs during pre-flight planning. Having at least the TP direction pre-printed would be great. I’ve always been surprised that these data were not already on the IAP.