Pre-Solo Airport Traffic Patterns

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Questions and Answers

What is the traffic pattern for each runway at your airport?

Left for both 18 and 36

What is the traffic pattern altitude?

1100 MSL

How do you enter and exit the traffic pattern at your airport?

Enter the traffic pattern from the left or right of the runway. Enter downwind at a 45 degree angle if approaching from the left, and cross the runway to enter on the right. Always maintain pattern altitude of 1100 MSL.

What radio calls are recommended in the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport?

State who the call is for, your tail number, location, and intentions. Make calls for each leg of the pattern. Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard direction of turns in the traffic pattern?

Left traffic pattern Signup and view all the answers

What is CTAF and explain your airport's CTAF procedures?

Common traffic advisory frequency; at Foley, it is 135.05. Announce traffic intentions and communicate on CTAF. Signup and view all the answers

How can you determine if a runway is closed?

A runway is closed when it has large X's at the ends. Temporary closures can be monitored through ATIS and NOTAMs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the typical dimensions of Class D airspace and what requirements must be met prior to entry?

4 NM radius, surface to 2500 AGL, requires two-way radio communication with the tower. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum speed permitted for aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL?

250 kts Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum speed allowed in Class B airspace?

250 kts Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum speed allowed in a VFR corridor through Class B airspace?

200 kts Signup and view all the answers

What is the max speed for aircraft below the shelf of Class B airspace?

200 kts Signup and view all the answers

If you receive ATC instructions that you feel may compromise safety or cause you to violate an FAR, what should you do?

Refuse the clearance and request an amended clearance while maintaining safety actions. Signup and view all the answers

What does a green light flashing in flight indicate?

Cleared to enter the pattern, return for landing, followed by steady green. Signup and view all the answers

What does steady green in flight signal?

Cleared to land Signup and view all the answers

What does a green light flashing on the ground signify?

Cleared to taxi Signup and view all the answers

What does a steady green light on the ground indicate?

Cleared to take off Signup and view all the answers

What does a steady red light on the ground mean?

Stop! Signup and view all the answers

What does a steady red light in the air indicate?

Give way, continue circling Signup and view all the answers

What does flashing red in the air indicate?

Airport not safe, do not land Signup and view all the answers

What does flashing red on the ground mean?

Taxi off the runway Signup and view all the answers

What does flashing white on the ground indicate?

Return to start point Signup and view all the answers

What does flashing white in the air signify?

N/A - Probably due to blindness Signup and view all the answers

What do alternating red and green lights mean?

Exercise extreme caution for both ground and air Signup and view all the answers

In addition to equipment requirements and a student pilot certificate, what must be met before a student pilot can fly solo in Class B airspace?

Must receive ground and flight instruction from an instructor and have endorsements in the logbook no older than 90 days. Signup and view all the answers

What is required to enter Class B airspace?

Two-way radio communication, 4096 Mode C transponder, and ATC clearance to enter. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Class B airspace boundaries.

Multi-level upside down wedding cake shape, individually tailored for that airspace. Signup and view all the answers

What is the closest Class B airport to Foley?

New Orleans Signup and view all the answers

How can you use navigational equipment or ground references to identify Class B boundaries?

Using GPS and specific ground monuments or magenta flag ground references on sectional charts. Signup and view all the answers

On a sectional chart, what does a dashed magenta line around an airport mean?

Surface Class E airspace. Signup and view all the answers

If ATC calls you just prior to entering Class B airspace and instructs you to squawk 2466 and Ident, are you now able to enter Class B airspace without any further instructions?

No! You must hear the ATC controller say your tail number and that you are cleared to enter Class B airspace. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the minimum visibility and ceiling requirements for VFR flight in Class D airspace.

Clouds need to be 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, 2000 feet horizontal, and 3 SM of visibility. Signup and view all the answers

Can a student pilot or recreational pilot request a SVFR clearance in Class D airspace when visibility is less than 3 SM?

No! Student pilots must have at least 3 statute miles of visibility. Signup and view all the answers

You have called ATC prior to entering Class C airspace, and the controller tells you to 'standby.' Are you allowed to enter this airspace without any further instruction?

Yes. By making the call and receiving a response with your tail number establishes two-way radio communication. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the typical dimensions of Class C airspace and is participation in radar service mandatory within the outer area of Class C airspace.

5 NM radius inner core from surface to 4000 feet AGL, 10 NM radius outer core from 1200 feet to 4000 feet AGL; radar service is not mandatory in the outer area. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Class C boundaries that affect your airport, and how you can use nav aids to identify the outer and inner shell of the airspace.

Nearest Class C is NAS Pensacola, airspace is tailored to the area; GPS can mark boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Traffic Patterns and Altitudes

Traffic pattern at the airport is left for runways 18 and 36.
Standard traffic pattern altitude is 1100 MSL.
To enter the pattern, approach from the left or right. Enter downwind at a 45-degree angle from the left; cross runway and turn 90 degrees from the right.

Radio Communications

Recommended radio calls include the recipient, tail number, position, and intentions.
Notify traffic on every leg of the pattern and when entering/exiting.
Changes in the traffic pattern must be communicated to avoid collisions.

Airspace Regulations

Class D airspace has a 4 nautical mile radius, extending from the surface up to 2500 AGL.
Entry requires two-way radio communication and interaction with the control tower.
Maximum speed below 10,000 feet MSL is 250 knots, with a limit of 200 knots in Class B airspace and below the shelf of Class B airspace.

ATC Interactions

If given a potentially unsafe ATC instruction, refuse the clearance, request an amended one, and inform ATC of the safety concern.
Always prioritize the safety of your aircraft, even if it means breaking regulations.

Light Signals

Flashing green in flight indicates you are cleared to enter the pattern; steady green means cleared to land.
On the ground, flashing green means cleared to taxi; steady green indicates cleared for takeoff.
Steady red means to stop, while flashing red in the air suggests the airport is unsafe for landing.

Class B Airspace

Class B requires two-way communication and a 4096 Mode C transponder.
The boundaries are designed like an upside-down wedding cake, with requirements established to cross within 30 NM.
New Orleans is the closest Class B airport to Foley.

Navigational Aids and Airspace Identification

GPS and ground references help identify Class B boundaries, while a dashed magenta line indicates surface Class E airspace on sectional charts.

VFR Flight Requirements

Minimum visibility for VFR in Class D airspace is 3 statute miles, with cloud clearance of 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontal.
Student pilots cannot request a Special VFR clearance if visibility is less than 3 statute miles.

Class C Airspace

Class C typically features a 5 NM radius inner core from the surface to 4000 feet AGL and a 10 NM radius outer core from 1200 to 4000 feet AGL.
Participation in radar service in the outer area is not mandatory.

Specific Airport Procedures

Procedures at Foley include using CTAF 135.05 for traffic announcements.
Runways closed are identifiable by large X's at their ends. Temporary closures can be checked via ATIS and NOTAMs.
Nearest Class C airspace is NAS Pensacola, with tailored boundaries monitored by GPS.

Overall Flight Safety

Ensure understanding of all necessary regulations and procedures before conducting solo flights or entering controlled airspace.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Test your knowledge of airport traffic patterns with these flashcards. Learn how to enter and exit the traffic pattern, as well as the specific altitudes and directions for your local airport's runways. This quiz is essential for pilots preparing for their pre-solo flight check.