Stupid mistake I've made too often

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I am a private pilot with around 125hrs counting training.

One of the first goof ups I ever had as a student pilot was approaching my home field of all places... class D towered field. I was approaching from the west and the tower told me to enter right downwind for 22 which is the most logical approach from that direction. I was probably 1-2 miles on a perfect 45 for the downwind when suddenly my brain told me I had it all backwards and I was lining up for runway 4. I was not... I was right where I should be but I started maneuvering back away from the field to set up for the correct entry the tower assigned... a bit later I looked down at the heading indicator, thought for 2 seconds, and realized what I'd done. Called the tower, confessed, no big deal they just had me finish my approach on a looong right base. No harm, but I felt damned stupid.


I never did this at my home field again... I'm now so familiar with the layout of the airport I couldn't. However, both as a student pilot and now with my private I've flip-flopped the runway several more times. Always at an unfamiliar field but that's no excuse, the compass works the same everywhere. I come in, make my calls on the CTAF, set up with a perfect pattern entry and then read the number on the runway and realize that I dun goofed. Then I have to make a fool of myself and report where I actually am on the radio... thank god the pattern has always been empty.

I try to mitigate this by planning it out before the flight. Considering the direction I'm coming from, looking up the winds at the field and planning for the runway I expect to be landing on... thinking about exactly how I want to enter the pattern before even getting into the airplane. This usually works. However on a recent flight I had done this in the morning before driving to the field and forgot to review it again before takeoff. So in flight I checked the winds again, re-made my plan, executed my plan, and then saw the wrong F%*^&# number on the runway as I made my downwind entry.

I know which way a runway goes, I think with attention divided while flying the airplane I am looking down at the heading indicator for a reference.... planning to enter a downwind by putting the runway number I want at the BOTTOM of the heading indicator so when I turn final I'm going the right way. Somehow I think with the full workload of flying the airplane I am double-flipping the direction somehow. I know which way North, South, East and, and West are for god sakes...

Makes me feel really stupid every time to make an error like this. Am I the only one? Do I just need to practice more? Any tips to not screw up like this again. So far it's only happened at airports with empty patterns... I do NOT want to goof up like this in busy airspace.
 
Get fore flight ,pro,then when you are about to enter the airport area. Load in the approach for the runway you are going to use. This will give you a picture. Either that or order a runway entrance device from sports.
 
Welcome to the club. Personally, I brief each VFR landing much like making an IFR approach. I'll pull up the afd page for the airport and use my finger to trace the approach. Also, use a heading bug or obs to show the runway number/heading.. The directional gyro is your friend ...

But the only real answer is to fly more. Didn't understand that vary well, but I've just had my first 100 hour year. Much more confident although I too still "kick myself" every time I make a mistake. . . . Go fly!
 
Use a GPS with labeled, extended runway center lines. I am slightly heading challenged as well, but have never made a mistake like that due to being able to check myself with the GPS. I use Garmin Pilot for this.
 
bullwinkle said:
Use a GPS with labeled, extended runway center lines. I am slightly heading challenged as well, but have never made a mistake like that due to being able to check myself with the GPS. I use Garmin Pilot for this.
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no... At least on a regular basis. as long as the engine is running, you should be able to locate the airport and land (ok, if VFR).

Then again I gave fun with instructions like "follow i 40 out of town until you see the brick tower- we're north of the interstate!

Just go flying, relax and have fun. (Took an old codger scaring the crap out of me to ge me to just relax and fly the airplan..)
 
:rolleyes: I never said he should not be able to navigate or find the airport without GPS.
 
Everyone does this. I try to visualize the runway position along the DG. Trick is to remember that the runway numbers will be on the opposite side of the DG =)

I actually have in the past had to tell myself OUT LOUD that I'm turning right towards the reciprocal heading for a left downwind. Verbalizing and visualizing that (and alterations of that for different patterns) has helped me avoid my share of stupid mistakes.

On my first solo XC to a towered field I was told to enter a right base. It was my first right pattern and my first base entry ever. I was shocked that I didn't screw that up ;)
 
Similar to Brian, with an unfamiliar airport I used to print out the kneeboard PDF from AOPA. Most of them have the runway diagram, though certainly not all.

I pencil in my approach from whatever side I would be coming from and, using dashes trace my path thru the air for a pattern entry for both runways. Then I write the runway heading in large numbers with an arrow pointing down final. Essentially trying to make it idiot proof for myself.

Well before pattern entry, I use my DG to envision approximately how the runway layout is going to look up ahead. It also helps me know and crosscheck my location relative to the airport: SE, NW, etc.
 
You say you plan everything, but on your knee board do you have a sheet of paper with a drawing that shows the runway relative to north orientation, the runway ends labeled, and your possible approach paths drawn in?
 
My cfi made me draw a rwy diagram, then pencil in the winds and arrival direction. Then draw in the pattern entry instructions. Finally, use the DG for orientation.
 
Oh yes, that happens to just about everyone.

I did that on my first cross-country after my check ride.

Contacted Salinas Tower, got told to enter left traffic for 26. Turned to the left 45 for 26, then convinced myself I was wrong, aimed at midfield to find the left downwind for 8 (note that 8 is right traffic), then got ahold of myself and turned back to 26.

Betcha don't make that mistake again. Home field or elsewhere.
 
Foreflight with extended centerlines will help a lot. It also has a pattern entry feature too. Keep flying, it gets easier.
 
willywildes said:
Foreflight with extended centerlines will help a lot. It also has a pattern entry feature too. Keep flying, it gets easier.
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How do you see the pattern entry on ff? I just bought it last night so im trying to figure it out
 
I promise you, that a majority of us have inverted our runway in our mind. I think maybe you're getting wrapped up in the difference between your compass swing and your HSI. Because the compass direction is actually going to point towards you on the right course, and the HSI will point away from you on the right course. My advice is to focus on a single direction indicator. Here's the trick I use.

Once I'm about to enter the pattern, I bug the actual runway degrees. So, rwy 16, let's say is 163°. Bug that heading, in the CDI, HSI, etc. w/e. Here's what will help, put an arrow on the end pointing at 163 and keep it there, in your mind. The line POINTS at the direction to land. Keep that imaginary arrow tip in your head pointing at the course you bugged. 163. Remember that course and it's relation to you where you are RIGHT then, and you'll land the right way every time. Put that course out in front of you somewhere, and visualize the path, rather than the direction in your head.

So, the trick in my head is (say the degree of heading, i.e. 163) followed by HSI "thumbs up", compass says "you the man!" The HSI should be pointing up at 163, and the compass should be pointing at me with 163. :)

So if you're downwind, you've got "thumbs down" and "not the man". If you're crosswind it's Fonzy... Eyyyyy with his thumbs pointed out to each side.

Hopefully that helps, and doesn't make it worse.
 
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Jim Logajan said:
You say you plan everything, but on your knee board do you have a sheet of paper with a drawing that shows the runway relative to north orientation, the runway ends labeled, and your possible approach paths drawn in?
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Yes I do.

I returned once to an airfield I actually operated the bo from just a few months earlier. I could have posted the initial post with what happened next. Since then, I've even drawn a sketch for a grass field without an and entry.

Ok, bit overkill, but something Im slowly pulling into my routine..
 
Maybe that guy will lend you one of his metal landing calculators.
 
Catalo said:
How do you see the pattern entry on ff? I just bought it last night so im trying to figure it out
Click to expand...

Try this from Map mode.

"Three bar" Navlog button
(With route to airport entered in Navlog window)
Procedure button (top right) to display "Procedure Advisor"
"Traffic Pattern"
RWY of interest
Pattern type
 
Catalo said:
How do you see the pattern entry on ff? I just bought it last night so im trying to figure it out
Click to expand...

Page 58 of the for flight manual will explain. The right side procedure button is where it's located. You can chose an entry or let it do it. Have fun.
 
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'One of reasons I love WingX. The extended runway and traffic pattern indicator is right there on screen. And the extended runways on the Garmin helps, too. I even "pre-fly" all unfamiliar airports with Google Earth, too.
 
bullwinkle said:
Use a GPS with labeled, extended runway center lines. I am slightly heading challenged as well, but have never made a mistake like that due to being able to check myself with the GPS. I use Garmin Pilot for this.
Click to expand...

:yes:

Yes this but I use ForeFlight for runway extended lines. I never lined up at a tower airport with the wrong runway but caught myself a few times doing it at a non towered airport. I always try to develop a good site picture before and during the flight on how I'm going to approach the airport and look review the airport diagram.
 
I hate to say it, but I'm a bit nervous about people depending on all these gadgets to get it right. What do you do if your batteries die? Enter wrong?

A printout of the airport diagram or thumbnail (and almost all airports have thumbnails these days) will suffice. If that doesn't exist or you don't have it, make a simple drawing from the sectional. It shows the orientation of paved runways, at least roughly.

What you should really do is learn that rwy 8 has left base of 170, a downwind of 260 and a left 45 of 215, or at least be able to make the sketch rapidly.
 
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yup.....I usually just put out my arms and look for the thumb thingy that makes an "L".....then I know which base leg I need to make. :goofy:
 
Your DG is your best friend for pattern work. Consider it a "moving map", which requires just a bit of help from you. Your landing runway is indicated by the tip of an arrow that you mentally place on it. Your present position is always straight below it. In your mind, imagine the downwind leg (opposite direction to the arrow) and base leg (90 degrees), and create a "virtual magenta" line on the DG. When you look at it, you see it, while to others in the plane it's just a regular DG.
Then just fly this virtual magenta, while cross-checking all other tools which may be available. If you have other "real" magenta lines in your arsenal, make sure they all agree. And be sure to check the DG against the compass before you enter the pattern.
And most importantly, keep looking outside for traffic!
 
RotorDude said:
Your DG is your best friend for pattern work. Consider it a "moving map", which requires just a bit of help from you. Your landing runway is indicated by the tip of an arrow that you mentally place on it. Your present position is always straight below it.
Click to expand...

That is true, but not every airplane has a DG...mine doesn't. Though I think I could use the virtual HSI in my Dynon EFIS in the same way.
 
bullwinkle said:
That is true, but not every airplane has a DG...mine doesn't. Though I think I could use the virtual HSI in my Dynon EFIS in the same way.
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Yes, you could.

You could also use a picture of a DG from the PHAK, plus the mag compass, for those airplanes with no gyros.
 
I found a great app called FlightWinds. Very simple free app that may just be the ticket.


Shane
The Squawk Shoppe
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
images


Works everytime, no batteries. Might be funny to you but I don't have to even think about it.
 
Last week at T82 (Gillespie County), a Citation popped onto frequency and announced, "32 mile straight in, any traffic please advise."

Traffic was light, so no issues in the end, but who the heck did he think he was - a Bonanza Pilot? :D
 
I use Foreflight extended center lines and get a good visual for situational awareness.
 
SCCutler said:
Last week at T82 (Gillespie County), a Citation popped onto frequency and announced, "32 mile straight in, any traffic please advise."

Traffic was light, so no issues in the end, but who the heck did he think he was - a Bonanza Pilot? :D
Click to expand...

I told tower at KPTK I was on a 10 mile final recently.

..... LIKE A BOSS!
 
If you have a GPS with OBS mode...hit the OBS button...spin the course to the landing runway heading and there you have a perfect picture of the airport environment complete with extended runway.
 
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