1. Communications and Traffic Pattern Operations
Jer/ Eberhard
Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD
Greeley – Weld County Airport,
Greeley, Colorado – GXY
Fort Collins – Loveland Airport,
Loveland, Colorado – FNL
FAA Safety Team Member,
with DEN FSDO.
CELL
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

2. Lets Talk About… Communications Traffic pattern operations References
Radio
You may lookup light gun signals/print from AIM.
Traffic pattern operations
Where to be in the pattern.
Where to expect other aircraft.
What to say on the radio.
References
FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
FAA advisory circulars
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

3. Agenda Tips on radio communications.
Tips on traffic pattern names, locations and operations.
Interactive presentation with discussion…
Lets spend about an hour. 
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

4. Communications Overview
Good communications involve the sender and receiver.
Not all messages sent are received.
Not all messages received are what was intended to be sent.
We will discuss how to be around the traffic pattern and communicate effectively.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

5. First Things First! Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, don't Fixate!
Aviate FIRST!
Fly the Aircraft!
Navigate SECOND!
Get to where you are going!
Communicate THIRD!
Talk to those who care!
Don't Fixate!
"Do not drop Bernoulli to fly Marconi"!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

6. Odd Things Heard on the Radio That Have NO MEANING!
“…Area traffic please advise…”
Bad radio call!
I have advice for “Don't buy ENRON!” “Learn how to talk on the radio”!
The AIM tells us how!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

7. Aeronautical Information Manual
AIM pilot/controller glossary AIM 4-1-9(g)(1):
g. Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions
1. General. Self-announce is a procedure whereby pilots broadcast their position or intended flight activity or ground operation on the designated CTAF. This procedure is used primarily at airports which do not have an FSS on the airport. The self-announce procedure should also be used if a pilot is unable to communicate with the FSS on the designated CTAF. Pilots stating, "Traffic in the area, please advise" is not a recognized Self-Announce Position and/or Intention phrase and should not be used under any condition.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

8. Aeronautical Information Manual
AIM pilot/controller glossary:
There is no:
“Area traffic”, or
"Tally-ho" or
"Looking”.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

9. Traffic Advisory Callout
The ONLY responses to traffic are:
“Traffic in sight” or,
“Negative contact”.
The controller has other things to do, too!
Don’t take up air time with “USELESS VERBAGE”!
Look outside the aircraft while the controller is talking: If you see the traffic, report “Traffic in sight”, If not, report: “Negative contact”.
Release the frequency so others can use it!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

10. Roger!
Roger means “I have received all of your last transmission… and I am not taking any action based on that information’.
Affirmative means “yes”.
Negative means “no”.
The AIM says this about: “roger”, "it should not be used to answer a question requiring a yes or a no answer”.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

11. Ground Station Call Signs
Pilots, when calling a ground station, should begin with the name of the facility being called followed by the type of the facility being called as indicated in AIM Table Table (Updated for Colorado). Jer/ Facility Call Sign Airport UNICOM "Fort Collins Loveland UNICOM“ FAA Flight Service Station (FSS) "Denver Radio" FAA Enroute Flight Advisory Service "Denver Flight Watch" Real-time, enroute Weather - EFAS Airport Traffic Control Tower "Centennial Tower" Clearance Delivery Position (IFR) "Centennial Clearance" Ground Control Position in Tower "Centennial Ground" Radar or Nonradar Approach "Denver Approach" Control Position Radar Departure Control Position "Denver Departure" FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center "Denver Center"
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

12. Aircraft Call Signs – AIM 4-2-4
Civil Aircraft should state the aircraft’s:
Type, model or manufacturer’s name, dropping the “N” (November for a US registered aircraft).
Digits/letters of the registration number, using the phonetic alphabet. AIM
Examples
Bonanza Six Five Four Seven Foxtrot (N6547F)
Stationair Niner Five One Three Golf (N9513G)
Skyhawk One Seven Two Zero Zulu (N1720Z)
Model tells others the relative performance and speed characteristics of the aircraft.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

13. Numbers: AIM 4-2-8 Figures
A. Indicate hundreds and thousands in round numbers, as for ceiling heights, and upper wind levels up to 9,900 shall be spoken in accordance with the following: Example: FIVE HUNDRED Example: 7,500 - SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
NOT: “seven point five” or “fiver”.
B. Numbers above 9,900 shall be spoken by separating the digits preceding the word "thousand." Example: 10,000 - one zero thousand Example: 13,500 - one three thousand five hundred
NOT: “thirteen point five” or “thirteen five”, or “ten even”. C. Transmit airway or jet route numbers as follows: Example: V12 - VICTOR TWELVE Example: J533 - J FIVE THIRTY-THREE
NOT: “victor one two”, or “jet five three three”.
D. All other numbers shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit. Example: one zero. Not: “ten”.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

14. Numbers: AIM 4-2-8, continued
When a radio frequency contains a decimal point, the decimal point is spoken as "POINT“. Example: ONE TWO TWO POINT FOUR
NOTE - ICAO procedures require the decimal point be spoken as "DECIMAL," and FAA will honor such usage by military aircraft and all other aircraft required to use ICAO procedures.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

15. Altitudes And Flight Levels Aim 4-2-9
A. Up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL, state the separate digits of the thousands plus the hundreds if appropriate. Example: 12,000 - one two thousand Example: 12,500 - one two thousand five hundred
B. At and above 18,000 feet MSL (FL 180), state the words "flight level" followed by the separate digits of the flight level. Example: flight level one NINER zero Example: flight level two seven five
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

16. Directions Aim
The three digits of bearing, course, heading, or wind direction should always be magnetic. The word "true" must be added when it applies. EXAMPLE: (always state three digits)
(Magnetic course) ZERO ZERO FIVE (True course) ZERO FIVE ZERO TRUE (Magnetic bearing) THREE SIX ZERO (Magnetic heading) HEADING ONE ZERO ZERO (Wind direction) WIND TWO TWO ZERO
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

17. Traffic Patterns: Definitions
Traffic Pattern: Means the traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or taking off from, an airport (FAR 1).
Components: AIM 4-3-2
Upwind Leg, parallel to the runway in direction of landing
Crosswind Leg, right angles to runway off its takeoff end
Downwind Leg, parallel to the runway, opposite dir of landing
Base Leg, right angles to runway, off approach end
Final Approach, direction of landing along extended centerline
Departure Leg, outbound to beyond 1/2mi and w/in 300’ of pattern altitude before turn in the pattern. Else above pattern.
Note: There is NO “crossing midfield”. Why?
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

18. Traffic Pattern Altitudes
Altitudes generally 600 – 1,500 AGL.
May be as high as 2,500 AGL. AIM
Consider these MINIMUM altitudes.
Keep safe: Keep yourself in a position to glide to the runway in the event of an engine failure or configuration failure (flap, gear, et.al.).
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

19. Why do YOU remember 800’?
Your instructor PROBABLY learned at an airport with an 800' pattern, hence you were taught to "turn at 500 feet AGL".
Why? Because they were taught (properly):
“If remaining in the traffic pattern, commence turn to crosswind leg 1/2mi beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of pattern altitude”… but didn’t tell you WHY!
Hence: a turn at 500 AGL for an 800 AGL pattern.
Hence: a turn at 700 AGL for a 1000 AGL pattern!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

20. Is it CURRENTLY 800 or 1000?
Caution... many airports FORMERLY had a published minimum pattern altitude of 800' AGL. CHECK YOUR AIRPORT in the AFD.
AIM (Examples) state: Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. 1,000' AGL is minimum recommended pattern altitude unless established otherwise.
Where is this established? Airport Facility Directory (AFD).
Who establishes it? The airport manager, in a letter to the FAA, as published in the AFD.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

21. Traffic Pattern Operations AIM Figure 4-3-3
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

22. May I Suggest?
With a review of the AIM information, will you please consider:
Adjusting your operations with your new knowledge to not begin a turn until you are “within 300 feet of pattern altitude”, and “½ mile beyond the departure end of the runway”?
Operate a 1000 AGL pattern (Note, it is easier to compute than adding 800 feet).
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

23. Overhead join? Britain, not USA!
Visual Clearing Procedures:
Traffic Pattern: Entries into traffic patterns while descending create specific collision hazards and should be avoided. AIM (d).
Why fly over an airport when you can easily fly around and join on the 45?
Discussion (not heated, please)!
(limit 10 min, >> I << will lead it.)
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

24. Communications Bottom Line
Make your communications:
Succinct
Directed to the proper audience
Minimal air time
Maximal content
Communicate YOUR message effectively!
Help keep each other SAFE!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

25. Bring This All Together
Position yourself on approach and in the correct position in the pattern.
Communicate your position accurately and in a timely manner.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

26. Five “W”s to Talk on the Radio
W ho I am talking to (You -Target)
(Airport NAME, or facility NAME or airplane)
W ho I am (Me)
W here I am or W hat am I doing
(What I have... location, information, doing NOW)
W hat I want or are going to do
(What I want... or am planning)
W ho I am talking to (You - Location)
Location, or leave out if talking to an FAA facility.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

27. Concrete examples of how to talk on the radio:
# Get airport information: Cessna Skyhawk N1720Z
Fort Collins - Loveland Unicom (READ from chart)
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
on the ramp
request airport advisory
Fort Collins - Loveland (READ from chart)
# Taxi to the runway
Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic (Note new receiver)
taxiing for departure 33
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

28. Concrete Examples: # Ready to takeoff Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
departing 33
northwest departure
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

29. Concrete Examples: # Get airport information before entering pattern
Fort Collins - Loveland Unicom
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
10 north
request airport advisory
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

30. Concrete Examples: # Returning to airport
Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
10 north
planning a left 45 for left traffic 33
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

31. Concrete Examples: # Returning to airport, on downwind
Fort Collins - Loveland traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
left downwind 33
number 2 to land, traffic in sight
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

32. Concrete Examples: # Returning to airport, on base
Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
left base 33
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

33. Concrete Examples: # Returning to airport, turning final
Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
turning left base to final 33
Fort Collins - Loveland
Note: There is NO “left final”!
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

34. Concrete Examples: # Off the runway Fort Collins - Loveland Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
down and clear of 33 (not the Active!)
taxiing to T-Hangars
Fort Collins - Loveland
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

35. Concrete Examples:
# Nearby airport, most people get WRONG (Airport name different than location name) Here is correct one:
MacElroy Traffic
Skyhawk Two Zero Zulu
10 east
planning right traffic 27
Kremmling
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

36. Bottom Line Join and fly the published pattern.
If possible, use 1000 AGL for TPA.
Fly the pattern depicted in the AIM.
Make proper radio calls in the pattern.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

37. Summary We have discussed proper radio phraseology.
Listen, and laugh, and help your friends improve their communications!
Be in the pattern, communicating.
Be SAFE!
Did you learn something that you can use?
Discussion/comments?
Then where to get more information.
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018

38. Where to Get More Information
FAA aeronautical information manual – AIM
Airborne intercept procedures (Print, keep in flight case):
AIM table intercepting signals (1-3)
AIM table intercepting signals (4-6)
AOPA:
FAA advisory circulars:
AC 90-42F traffic advisory… with control tower…
AC 90-45F traffic advisory… without control tower…
AC 90-66A recommended standard traffic patterns…
Jer/ Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD;
11/21/2018