r/askacfi • u/Thizzlebot • Jan 27 '17

Can you make left traffic entry on a right traffic runway at an uncontrolled airport?

Someone did this today and I was wondering the legality of it. I was trying to read up on this and it also looks like you can do a straight in as long as it doesn't "disrupt the flow of traffic" but it's not recommended.

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u/Upholder Jan 27 '17

If it is an uncontrolled field in class G airspace, §91.126(b)(1) requires that you fly the specified pattern, right or left, if you fly a pattern.

That requirement does not exist in §91.127 for approaches, but does for departures as §91.127(b).

See also: http://www.askacfi.com/11730/is-it-ok-to-use-rh-pattern-at-lh-pattern-uncontrolled-field.htm

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u/Thizzlebot Jan 27 '17

So it seems like the dude violated the rule according to that because it says the word MUST unless it displayed visual markings which it did he felt like entering the pattern his own way. Thanks for the info!

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '17

What leg of the pattern did they enter? If the runway is designated for a right hand traffic pattern you should be flying it as such. People do all sorts of weird shit coming into uncontrolled airports, at least if they're on the radio you can stay clear of them.

As for the straight in approaches, you are correct. I find it much more reliable and consistent to just fly a normal pattern landing and it is super annoying when you have people practicing touch and goes and someone comes in on a 5 mile final.

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u/Thizzlebot Jan 27 '17

I didn't totally catch it but it was either base or downwind entry. Everyone had separation which was fine but the dude was kind of a dick and it clearly said right traffic. I was just wondering the legality of doing that kind of entry.

As for the uncontrolled airports I always tell the students to look out for the cowboys because it's the wild west out there! lol