Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation
so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it
all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as
representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have
heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we
might never have considered before, or something that didn't
"stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for
the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are
always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this
together.
Aero-Tips 04.06.06
Are you comfortable with four-way
stop intersections or driving through roundabouts? Then you should
have no trouble with the first come, first served philosophy of
landing priority.
With the exception of airplanes in distress ("declared
emergencies") and air ambulances (operating in the U.S. under the
callsign LIFEGUARD), the airplane ahead in the pattern has the
right-of-way for landing. Where conflicts occur, the airplane
closer to the ground has the right-of-way. Do not try to take
advantage by flying an abnormally low pattern, or "cutting someone
off" by turning base or final sooner than normal.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach
or a straight-in visual approach to an aircraft operating on an IFR
flight plan does not mean that landing priority will be given over
other traffic. Towers handle all aircraft, regardless of the type
of flight plan, on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Because of
local traffic or runway in use, the controller may provide a
different landing sequence. In any case, a landing sequence will be
issued to each aircraft as soon as possible to enable the pilot to
properly adjust the aircraft's flight path.
Flying an instrument approach into conditions of at least one
mile visibility? It's entirely possible (and legal) that a VFR
airplane may be flying "one mile, clear of clouds" beneath the
bases. Remember that, as soon as you're in visual meteorological
conditions, you are responsible to see and avoid other airplanes
and to sequence yourself with other traffic for landing -- first
come, first served still applies for landing.
Aero-tip of the day: Landing priority is
democratic-first to the airport generally is first to land.