"with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern"

[dmspilot]

This language is used in several places in 14 CFR 61, for example 61.109(a)(2)(ii) requiring 10 full stop night landings and 61.109(a)(5)(iii) requiring 3 full stop solo landings at a tower controlled airport.

Are there any legal interpretations on what constitutes a flight in the traffic pattern? Does this mean that if tower assigns you a straight in, it doesn't count? What if you enter on base? Downwind? Do you have to fly all 5 legs?

 

[JeffDG]

Straight in is part of the traffic pattern...it's final.

If you ask me, it's so that people don't go to places like KGSP which is a sleepy little Class C with an 11,000' runway. You could do 4+ stop and go's on that runway without ever getting more than 10' off the ground.

 

[poadeleted20]

I believe JeffDG is correct.

 

[flyingron]

If you ask me, it's so that people don't go to places like KGSP which is a sleepy little Class C with an 11,000' runway. You could do 4+ stop and go's on that runway without ever getting more than 10' off the ground.

Of course, I can certainly get several stop and goes to pattern attitude on an 11,000 foot runway. I've done it at IAD late at night.

 

[PW_Plack]

I did mine at a quiet (at night) Class D where the tower offered straight-in, but was more than happy to grant my request for full patterns on each landing.