Ok, obviously we're not getting anywhere here. The regs are clear, the AIM is clear - oh well.
I've never said it was illegal. It's very legal but I sense the power trip is more on those doing so just because they can and to hell with those who may already be in the pattern. I said it before on another issue and I'll say it again here... Just because you can does not mean you should.
You'd be right, if the other folks in the pattern weren't aware of me. They are if they're not NORDO, so there's nothing inconsiderate going on.
One of these days there will be a NORDO aircraft in the pattern, not having heard one of your calls. He's just as legal and also following the established standard.
The issue won't go away. As long as someone insist on ignoring what is really happening and just flying in, they'll be another accident. Guaranteed.
So if there's a NORDO aircraft, what makes you think I'll be less likely to see him on a straight in? If anything, I have a better view of the pattern on final than anywhere else.
What chya gunna do ? Beat her up?
No, why would I care to do that? I politely remind them that they're on a collision course. That usually does it.
And there is case law that states that a slower airplane who cuts you off while you're at 3 miles HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY. Inside a mile, you're on final. somewhere outside that area you're not entitled to the right of way.
Sure. 3NM isn't really a final yet, and I could care less if someone landed in front of me.
Sparingly, yes. But, if the pattern is busy and you're not making an instrument approach, there's no reason why you can't break the approach early and join the pattern. And, if it's VMC in the pattern, particularly at a non-towered field... 91.113 would certainly apply.
Yes, there is a reason. I don't feel like maneuvering unnecessarily, nor do I feel like wasting time.
If no one responds to your advisory while on the approach, are you going to continue to land? What about the potential aircraft operating NORDO? How about the aircraft using the wrong frequency? How about a pilot landing the wrong airport and not using the local frequency or even the same one and landing at your airport rather than his intended airport? Sure, these scenarios aren't common but they have happen before and they will again.
Yes I'm going to continue the approach if nobody responds. If someone is NORDO or using the wrong frequency, they'll need to see and avoid, and I need to do the same anyway.
Is it that you made your call and you're good to go? Not likely. You should either join the pattern normally or over-fly the airport 500' above TPA and observe traffic, obstructions, etc. Then exit the area and return, entering the pattern appropriately. Likewise, NORDO aircraft should never make a straight-in approach.
Again, that doesn't make sense. I _am_ joining the pattern normally, namely by joining final on a straight in.
Standard right-of-way rules apply if someone is already in the pattern. To interpret 91.113(g):
The aircraft at lower altitude whether it be on downwind, base or final does have right-of-way over an aircraft on final. Obviously, aircraft on downwind or base may not intentionally cut off other traffic. But, their lower altitude does give them right-of-way.
No, it doesn't, and that's not at all what 91.113 says. It specifically gives aircraft on final approach the right of way, and it specifically prohibits aircraft on downwind to turn base in front of the aircraft on final.
The aircraft on even a one-mile final would not have priority over someone on base unless you're below somewhere around 600' AGL, about the altitude an aircraft turning base to final. I hope you're not that low a mile out. Common sense applies... be a good sport and join the pattern with the rest of us peons.
Yes, the aircraft on final does have priority and right of way. 91.113 leaves no doubt about it, and neither does common sense. It's easy enough to extend downwind.
-Felix
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On a straight-in, you spend less time maneuvering and thus you can focus more attention on what's going on because it's always all in front of you until you're inside the base leg.
