Departing the Traffic Pattern

Source: www.pilotworkshop.com
Featuring Bob Martens

Subscriber Question:

"What is the best /safest way to leave the pattern? Both non-towered and towered airports." - Christian

Bob:

"The Aeronautical Information Manual provides the following guidance in Chapter 4:

If departing the traffic pattern, continue straight out, or exit with a 45 degree turn beyond the departure end of the runway after reaching pattern altitude.

This is good practice at both towered and non-towered airports. At a towered airport, with proper coordination, a non-standard departure can be approved.

ATC service is based upon observed or known traffic and airport conditions. Controllers establish the sequence of arriving and departing aircraft by requiring them to adjust flight as necessary to achieve proper spacing. These adjustments can only be based on observed traffic, accurate pilot reports, and anticipated aircraft maneuvers.

Pilots are expected to cooperate so as to preclude disrupting traffic flows or creating conflicting patterns.

At non-towered airports, deviation from the standard can be dangerous since we can never be certain where other aircraft are operating."