91.126(b)(1) - Yes, Virginia, it is regulatory.

pburger

pburger

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Paul B.
TLDR -- I've noticed that some pilots don't realize that the standard traffic pattern is required at uncontrolled fields in Class G airspace (unless designated otherwise).

The recent post about 91.126(b)(2) got me thinking about 91.126(b)(1):
§ 91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G airspace.​
(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized or required, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class G airspace area must comply with the requirements of this section.​
(b) Direction of turns. When approaching to land at an airport without an operating control tower in Class G airspace—​
(1) Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot must make all turns to the right;​
​
I don't think this is emphasized enough in primary training. It's not optional, it's regulatory. It's not simply some AIM suggestion or best practice, it's regulatory. It's not up to the pilot's discretion, it's regulatory.

Over the years I have encountered pilots entering downwind on the wrong side of the airport. If it is a published right pattern, I can see where someone might miss that. Right patterns are the exception, after all. You should check for that, but we all make the occasional mistake. But when someone makes a right base or right downwind at an airport with a standard traffic pattern because it's more convenient for them, they either don't know or don't care that they are violating the FARs. My experience with pilots in general would lead me to believe (or hope) that they just don't know the FARs, as opposed to being jerks. So, why isn't this being taught?

A few years ago I was out with a bunch of guys for lunch (you know the deal, 10 guys go to lunch in 10 airplanes...). This was a few weeks after Oshkosh, and I told the story of how when I stopped for lunch in Schaumburg, some guy in a Cirrus came in from the north and entered a right downwind for runway 29. I was on the left downwind at the time. I was ahead of him, and there was not a direct conflict, but it bothered me. I chose not to speak up, because I didn't want to be "that guy". When I told the story to my lunch group, half the guys at the table didn't react, and the other half were like, "what's the big deal?". A few even said, "it's not regulatory". I explained that it most definitely was, and quoted 91.126.b.1. Yes, I was now "that guy" at the lunch table. One of the guys apparently didn't trust me and asked the CFI in the bunch if it was regulatory. He replied, "Well, I'm not sure, but it's certainly a good idea". At that point, I was confused and wondering if something had changed. The CFI wasn't sure? Could I be mistaken? Not a single person at the table was confident enough to back me up. I let it drop, but of course I looked it up when I got home, and of course I was right. IT IS REGULATORY.

Last weekend I was giving a coworker his first ride in a small airplane. I was approaching an airport to do a touch-n-go. There were a couple in the pattern (one was making left traffic). We were coming from the east and I was planning on a midfield crosswind for 34. I heard someone report right crosswind for 34. That got my attention. I asked if they were a helicopter, and she replied that they were in an SR20 (I'm really not trying to pick on Cirrus pilots). I then asked "what's with the right pattern?" I kept the snark level at 0%. She replied that they usually fly a right pattern to keep clear of other traffic or something like that. WTF?? I counted to ten, and again with 0% snark factor I said, "well, if you're an airplane, you really need to be making left traffic". She responded "okay, I'll make left traffic after this. Thank you." Neither of us had a tone or took an attitude. I didn't quote the reg to her, berate her, or anything like that. No need to preach. She actually sounded sincere when she thanked me. Hopefully she looks it up.

My theory is that a lot of folks train at a towered airport, and many times the tower will assign the most convenient pattern based on what side of the airport you are approaching from. This may somehow get into the student pilot's brain leaving the impression that whatever is most convenient is okay. If the CFI doesn't explicitly instruct/explain that the standard traffic pattern MUST be flown at uncontrolled fields in Class G airspace, the student may be left with the idea that whatever works best for them is okay. They surely know what the standard traffic pattern is, but they may not know that it is REQUIRED. That's just my guess.
 
A lot of people see it in the AIMand default to “the AIM isn’t regulatory.” They either don’t realize it’s in the regs, or primacy kicks in because they saw it in the AIM first, so that’s where they remember it from.

I have been known to hand someone a copy of 91.126, and when they say, “what’s this?” I tell them it’s their advisory regulation.
 
Yes, if there is nothing stating it's right traffic, it is most definitely left traffic, as the regulation requires.

But for the opposite, where right patterns are published, there is a potential shortfall or loophole, though, isn't there? The regulation says that left patterns are required UNLESS there are "approved light signals or visual markings."

I don't know about you, but I've never seen a light signal to denote pattern direction. The visual markings are typically the segmented circle around the wind sock.

But what if it doesn't have that? The regulation doesn't say "or if it says RP on the chart, or it's published in the Chart Supplement". It just says visual markings.

So somebody could make the argument that, in spite of all other documents saying right traffic, if there aren't the visual markings, it's left traffic.

And note, yes, I have actually heard this argument.
 
RussR said:
But what if it doesn't have that? The regulation doesn't say "or if it says RP on the chart, or it's published in the Chart Supplement". It just says visual markings.
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"Unless otherwise authorized"
 
Half Fast said:
I agree with your concern and I agree it's certainly regulatory, but the reg doesn't say a left pattern; it says all turns are to be made to the left. Technically it would be legal to fly a right pattern with 270 degree left turns. :devil:
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But that would be leaving the pattern and re-entering, which MUST be done via a teardrop to downwind. :devil::devil:
 
RussR said:
I don't know about you, but I've never seen a light signal to denote pattern direction. The visual markings are typically the segmented circle around the wind sock.

But what if it doesn't have that? The regulation doesn't say "or if it says RP on the chart, or it's published in the Chart Supplement". It just says visual markings.

So somebody could make the argument that, in spite of all other documents saying right traffic, if there aren't the visual markings, it's left traffic.
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You need a FAR version of our Canadian law:

1723161215468.png
...........
1723161191062.png
 
I think what confuses people is the various guidance stating that pattern entry methods are advisory, not regulatory.
 
I'm seeing more and more cases where people believe that Making a Call on the Radio = Having permission for their actions. Flying a right-hand pattern at an airport with a left-hand one? "But I made the radio call!"

Ron Wanttaja
 
Man that’s a lot of color and formatting.
 
How does “Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left = the standard traffic pattern is required?

There are different procedures to land and make all turns to the left including the overhead maneuver and circle to land and straight in.
1723165147047.png
 
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wanttaja said:
I'm seeing more and more cases where people believe that Making a Call on the Radio = Having permission for their actions. Flying a right-hand pattern at an airport with a left-hand one? "But I made the radio call!"

Ron Wanttaja
Click to expand...
At least this is a reg that an emergency might allow you to disregard.
 
Half Fast said:

What on earth does a minister have to do with it?! Why not a priest or a rabbi? You Canadians are weird.....
Click to expand...
British. We have a Prime Minister, plus various ministers of health and transportation a foreign affairs and so on. Lots of them. A minister is one who administrates, after all. You have Administrators in the US, I believe.
 
wanttaja said:
I'm seeing more and more cases where people believe that Making a Call on the Radio = Having permission for their actions. Flying a right-hand pattern at an airport with a left-hand one? "But I made the radio call!"

Ron Wanttaja
Click to expand...
It goes together with people thinking that what they say on the radio determines who has the right-of-way.
 
This is for class G airspace but what happens if I'm going into TVL? They have one runway for left & another for right but there appears to be no regulation pertaining to surface E airspace so can I do as I please? :stirpot:
 
Daleandee said:
This is for class G airspace but what happens if I'm going into TVL? They have one runway for left & another for right but there appears to be no regulation pertaining to surface E airspace so can I do as I please? :stirpot:
Click to expand...
Keep reading further in the FARs...
 
Daleandee said:
This is for class G airspace but what happens if I'm going into TVL? They have one runway for left & another for right but there appears to be no regulation pertaining to surface E airspace so can I do as I please? :stirpot:
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I realize 91.127 is a long drive from 91.126, but…

§ 91.127 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class E airspace.​

(a) Unless otherwise required by part 93 of this chapter or unless otherwise authorized or required by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class E airspace area, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class E airspace area must comply with the requirements of § 91.126.
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So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.

As soon as there is another plane in the pattern, do the standard.
 
EdFred said:
Keep reading further in the FARs...
Click to expand...

Shhhh ... I'm quizzing on § 91.127 (a) ;)

Ok, you folks passed the test and got your reply in before I could trip up some others.
 
Daleandee said:
Shhhh ... I'm quizzing on § 91.127 (a) ;)

Ok, you folks passed the test and got your reply in before I could trip up some others.
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Try it on Facebook. Someone thought he won an argument by saying the rule only applies to Class G. The guy was a CFI too.
 
dmspilot said:
Try it on Facebook. Someone thought he won an argument by saying the rule only applies to Class G. The guy was a CFI too.
Click to expand...

I don't Fakebook so I can't do that. Others argue that this means you also must fly a complete pattern ...
 
dans2992 said:
So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.

As soon as there is another plane in the pattern, do the standard.
Click to expand...
Straight in? Sure... There is no reg saying you have to fly the pattern or make any turns at all.

Presuming by "opposite standard base" you mean flying a right base to a runway that is standard left traffic, then your opinion doesn't matter, it's a clear violation of the reg, regardless of who is or isn't there. The reg is there so you have an idea where you should be looking for other airplanes that may or may not have or use radios so you don't hit them. If you come in on the opposite base and knock a NORDO Cub out of the sky, that won't look too good in the inevitable lawsuit nor the NTSB report.
 
dans2992 said:
So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.

As soon as there is another plane in the pattern, do the standard.
Click to expand...

Regardless of clarity that an airport is supposed to be doing L or R traffic, and even if there is another plane in the pattern.

Doing a straight-in is only “discouraged” in the words of FAA per Section 9.11.1 of FAA Advisory Circular 66-90C dated 6/6/23.

Douche move? Unsafe? Frowned upon? Maybe, maybe not, but doing a straight-in is not regulatory non-compliance, especially when this kind of regulatory guidance is published specifically addressing and clarifying same.

Fly safe, fly smart.
 
dans2992 said:
So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.

As soon as there is another plane in the pattern, do the standard.
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Kind of like running a stop sign when you're sure no one else is in the intersection. Works great until it doesn't.

I always to go experts on issues like this...... :)

 
dans2992 said:
So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.

As soon as there is another plane in the pattern, do the standard.
Click to expand...
The problem is *knowing* there aren't any other planes out there. Still planes without radios, still planes with broken radios, still pilots who tune to the wrong frequency.

Went to an FAA SAFE program last fall. Said that straight-ins were allowed if the pattern wasn't busy. And that the pattern was considered "busy" if there was ONE other plane in the pattern.

Ron Wanttaja
 
wanttaja said:
The problem is *knowing* there aren't any other planes out there. Still planes without radios, still planes with broken radios, still pilots who tune to the wrong frequency.

Went to an FAA SAFE program last fall. Said that straight-ins were allowed if the pattern wasn't busy. And that the pattern was considered "busy" if there was ONE other plane in the pattern.

Ron Wanttaja
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Yeah, sorry if I'm on a 3 mile straight in and a 152 announces he just departed remaining in thr pattern, I am NOT flying the patterns. Whoever headed up that program is an idiot.
 
pburger said:
TLDR -- I've noticed that some pilots don't realize that the standard traffic pattern is required at uncontrolled fields in Class G airspace (unless designated otherwise).
Click to expand...
That's not a very good way to word it, IMO, A standard traffic pattern is not required by regulations. The regulation only requires that any turns be in the correct direction.

Also, that's applicable to all non-towered airports, regardless of the type airspace.

dans2992 said:
So, if there is NOBODY else in the pattern, and no clear reason for why it should be left or right traffic, IMO, it’s reasonable to do a straight in or opposite standard base.
Click to expand...
The regulation requires left, or right if indicated, turns regardless of the number of aircraft in the pattern. It does not, however, require any turns at all so straight-in approaches are compliant. Aircraft without radios needs to know where to look for other airport traffic.

If you use the opposite turns in the pattern then you are violating the regulation. In such a situation, make a straight-in approach joining final at a point that is clearly outside of the airport area. There is no rule which says what turn you have to make to join the straight-in. There is legal precedent that the turn onto the straight-in much be outside of the traffic patern.

wanttaja said:
Went to an FAA SAFE program last fall. Said that straight-ins were allowed if the pattern wasn't busy. And that the pattern was considered "busy" if there was ONE other plane in the pattern.
Click to expand...
There is no regulation to back up that statement. Right-of-way rules would apply.

If the published traffic pattern does not match the regulatory traffic pattern bring it to the attention of the airport manager. It is their job to ensure that airport markings and the data submitted for charting are in agreement. I have done this a few times and the manager's corrected the discrepancy.
 
wanttaja said:
The problem is *knowing* there aren't any other planes out there. Still planes without radios, still planes with broken radios, still pilots who tune to the wrong frequency.

Went to an FAA SAFE program last fall. Said that straight-ins were allowed if the pattern wasn't busy. And that the pattern was considered "busy" if there was ONE other plane in the pattern.

Ron Wanttaja
Click to expand...
Maybe the word to remember the meaning is “occupied”
 
pburger said:
TLDR -- I've noticed that some pilots don't realize that the standard traffic pattern is required at uncontrolled fields in Class G airspace (unless designated otherwise).

The recent post about 91.126(b)(2) got me thinking about 91.126(b)(1):
§ 91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G airspace.​
(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized or required, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class G airspace area must comply with the requirements of this section.​
(b) Direction of turns. When approaching to land at an airport without an operating control tower in Class G airspace—​
(1) Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot must make all turns to the right;​
Click to expand...
Just curious, how would one strictly apply this to the recommended 45 degree entry to downwind pattern entry (left pattern would require a 45 degree right turn to downwind unless doing a left 315 degree turn at pattern altitude in the pattern)? That would certainly be "approaching to land at an airport". Approaching a north/south runway that's landing north from the east I'll do the 45 to downwind entry with a right turn if it's a left hand pattern.
 
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