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.

FMI: Aero-Tips