For sometime, I’ve noticed that busy circuits can be a lot quieter than is good for one’s peace of mind. I was returning the other day on an extended base – courtesy of the tower – and I was number three to land – behind a gyrocopter which was behind a fixed wing. The chap at number one was good and informed everyone what his intentions were including a ‘final’ call mentioning ‘fullstop’.
The gyro chap was silent. Nothing. Nicht. So I had to ‘go around’, slightly complicated by the advent of a looming mass of black rain cloud about to engulf the airfield which I was hoping to avoid by swiftly parking up and getting the a/c covered before it arrived. Some hope.
Eventually, I got a call from the tower to say that the gyro was on a single circuit.
The point remains. Its essential to call frequently with position reports in a busy circuit. It relaxes and removes the sweat.
By: John Green - 4th March 2014 at 17:50
I don’t have a problem with an ‘overhead’. You do have to be on your toes the more especially if you’re not the only a/c joining. For me, the value of an overhead join is apparent when it’s a first time visit to the airfield. The layout of the airfield is beneath you and slotting into the downwind feels a natural progression.
But, horses for courses.
By: Moggy C - 4th March 2014 at 17:23
It’s a balancing act isn’t it?
In a really busy circuit I want to hear nothing but “G-CD Downwind (runway), for go around / full stop” and “G-CD Final (runway)” broadcast from the correct place!!
Obviously if the traffic is a little lighter than there’s more time for a ‘Base’ call.
The nature of the join has an effect to. I hate OHJs, I think they are about the most dangerous manoeuvre in the piloting handbook and I wish the CAA wasn’t so keen on them.
Moggy
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March 4, 2014 at 3:23 pm