Traffic Patterns and precision landing techniques

This lesson covers traffic patterns, the five legs of the traffic pattern, and precision landing techniques.

Starting position

We will begin on runway 07 centerline and prepare to fly the traffic pattern.

The Traffic Pattern

A traffic pattern can basically be described as a rectangle with the runway being one of its sides.

There are two types of traffic patterns we must familiarize ourselves with, these being the left and right pattern. An easy way to remember is that on the left pattern the runway is always on your left and on the right for the right pattern. Most of the time you will fly the left, however, there are certain occasions that will require you to fly a right traffic pattern. For instance, let's assume that there are two runways parallel to each other, 07L and 07R. If you are approaching Rwy 07R and you are told by ATC to go around, you would enter a right traffic pattern and if it is Rwy 07L you would enter the left traffic pattern. This is to keep the traffic separated in a controlled manner. Flying traffic patterns are used for several reasons. Practicing take-offs and landings, to be able to see other pilots ready to land, or because there might be an aircraft on the runway.

Also, traffic patterns have an assigned altitude in which they must be flown. It is referred to as the Traffic Pattern Altitude (TPA). These altitudes vary depending on the specific airport you want to land at.

For this lesson we are going to concentrate on flying the left traffic pattern at an altitude of 1000 ft AGL.

The Five Legs

The traffic pattern has five legs that you must be able to recognize in order to fly the pattern.

They are:
1. The departure leg.
2. The cross wind leg.
3. The downwind leg.
4. The base leg.
5. Final leg or final approach.

Look at the picture below. You will see how it looks as if it were drawn out on a map.



The departure leg will be our first leg since we are already on the runway ready to take off. Go ahead and acquire a good hover and transition into forward flight. Stay on the runway heading and as you near the end of the runway, you will be entering the departure leg. Continue climbing at about 300 ft per min. Once you are clear of the end of the runway, make a left turn of 90 deg. Always make 90 deg. turns so that you will line back up with the runway correctly. As you complete the turn you will now be on the crosswind leg. Continue climbing until you have reached the TPA. While flying the traffic pattern, you want to stay within a mile and a half or less of the runway. This will enable you to stay close to the runway in case of engine failure. To stay within in this radius, you will want to turn to the downwind leg after about 30-60 sec. of flying the crosswind leg. Once you are on the downwind leg you should be parallel to the runway. Continue flying the downwind leg keeping your airspeed around 90 kts. As you pass the end of the runway, continue on the same heading till the end of the runway is about 45 deg. behind you to your left. Then make another left turn of 90 deg. Now you are on the base leg. When the turn is complete, you will want to start descending. Keep your descent slow so that you don't end up landing before reaching the runway. Keep an eye on the runway, this will help you to estimate when to make the next turn on to the final leg. When you make the last 90 deg. turn, you will be on the final leg ready for a landing on the runway.

This is how to fly a traffic pattern. Practice both left and right patterns on your own. After a couple of times, you should feel comfortable with the task.

Precision landing techniques

Landing on a runway and landing on a helipad are two totally different issues. While a runway is long and gives you plenty of time decide when to touch down, a helipad doesn't give you this luxury. It must be an accurate, precise landing.

There are a couple of ways to do this with the precision needed to land at a helipad or a confined area.

Go slow!

As you approach the helipad, ensure that your airspeed is low. The lower your airspeed, the less you will have to flare out at the last minute in order to make the landing. Flaring out at the last minute will more than likely cause you to fly past the targeted area due to limited visibility. Alternatively, come to a hover before the helipad and do a short hover taxi to it.

Flyby and return

At some point in your flying you may come to an area in which you are unfamiliar with. Fly past the helipad and familiarize yourself with the surrounding area making a mental note of certain obstacles to avoid and to inspect the area before you land on it. Then turn around and you will have a better visualization of the landing spot.

Using reference points

Using reference points can be very useful. By judging the distance between a reference point and the targeted landing site, you will be able to better judge when to touch down the helicopter. A reference can be anything that is within close proximity to the helipad, such as a building, light pole, a lone tree, or similar objects that you are able to distinguish as your reference point.

Views

You can also use the topdown view within the simulator by pressing "SHIFT+]" to help in positioning your helicopter over the selected landing site before touching down.

Announcing Intentions

When flying in the pattern at an airfield, you should use either voice or text to announce your intentions, and your current position as your enter each phase of the pattern. Some general examples are available for you: < Voice Examples >.  If you are unable to use Teamspeak, these examples can simply be converted to text that you would type into the chatbox.

Summary

In this lesson we explained the traffic pattern, the five legs of the traffic pattern, and precision landing techniques. Practice flying right and left traffic patterns and use the techniques described above for precision landings. Precision landings should be practiced on helipads and confined areas. When you feel that you are proficient at performing these manoeuvres on your own you will be expected to demonstrate, in front of an instructor pilot, the exercises listed above.

Apply what you have learned in this lesson and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!