I've got no major issues with the standard procedures. They are more
prescriptive than necessary but hey, that's what regulators are there for.
I do have a problem with circuit joining procedures in case of radio failure,
which prescribe crosswind joining. Mixed operations, gliding using winch
launch, could result in rather interesting situations. Takes a very diligent
lookout on part of a number of individuals to guarantee separation.
Rgds - Rolf
>
> At 01:23 2/06/2010, you wrote:
> >Got the CAAPs went to the seminars, read CAAp166-1(0) paragraph 5.3
> >(Glider Operations page 16) and para 4.6 (Arrival and departure
> >procedures page 10). Not much stuff for power pilots about joining glider
> >ops:
> >
> >HTTP://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/download/caaps/ops/166-1.pdf
> >HTTP://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/download/caaps/ops/166-2.pdf
> >
> >I got thinking, because it talks about recommend overfly entry to
> >the circuit (CCT) at not less than 500 ft above circuit height
> >(which means 1,500' above aerodrome level (AAL) for airfields that
> >don't have heavies coming in). Following assumes you are a light a/c
> >with a circuit speed less than 150 knots.
> >
> >Refer page 11 of CAAP 166-1(0)
> >
> >1) You can enter from the live side of the circuit by overflying at
> >1,500' AAL and then descending on the dead side of the circuit to
> >circuit height (1,000 AAL) and then join a crosswind leg (at CCT
> >height) that crosses the upwind half of the runway, and then join mid
> >downwind.
> >
> >You can join from the dead side of the circuit at 1,500' AAL, do a
> >left-hand orbit (for left hand CCTs) over the airfield and lower
> >yourself down on the dead side of the circuit as point 1).
> >
> >2) Join early downwind at CCT height (1,000' AAL)
> >
> >3) From the live side, join mid downwind on a 45 deg angle at CCT height.
> >
> >4) Join on base leg (allowed but not recommended)
> >
> >5) Join for a straight in from not less than 3nm.
> >
> >Some of these approaches are a worry for those power brethren who
> >aren't savvy about glider ops, and there is little information
> >provided for them.
> >
> >The overfly approaches may be problematic because gliders may be
> >thermalling above the airfield in this area, do we a glider pilots
> >no need to limit our activities directly above our airfields, seems
> >restrictive. Also, the tow aircraft often tows up through this
> >region of airspace too. However you may have itinerant power
> >aircraft descending and orbiting right over the airfield, and they
> >may be more than 500' above the CCT height initially. Hopefully they
> >know what a double cross symbol on their chart means.
> >
> >Again, if it is a winch ops, doing an overfly entry at less than
> >2,000' AGL would be a bad idea! (see AIP ENR 5.5-1 para 1.1.2)
> >
> >The dilemma is that an itinerant a/c needs to ascertain the wind
> >direction and runway in use, so sighting the windsock is generally a
> >useful exercise. They could call the pie cart on the ground to
> >ascertain the runway in use, although under the regs they are not a
> >certified air/ground radio service (however in AIP ENR 5.5-2 para
> >1.2.8 the tug or winch driver may advise of glider traffic on the
> >CTAF to inbound or taxiing a/c). Listening to the take-off call from
> >the tug or the downwind call of the gliders can also provide this
> >information, provided the tugs or glider is also using the appropriate
> >runway.
> >
> >If the runway is use is known, it would seem that joining an early
> >downwind would seem a good option, because, the arrival would not be
> >overhead the airfield, doesn't require you flying a crosswind leg
> >across the upwind end of the runway. Your circuit would generally be
> >slightly wider than most of the gliders' circuits, so most of the
> >glider traffic would be inside of you and be in sight as you fly
> >your circuit, and you would be approaching the glider traffic from
> >below (again providing better visibility), not from above. The
> >downside is that the circuit joining area may conflict with a tug
> >combination climbing out.
> >
> >What should we be telling our power brethren about how to join our
> >circuits safely? Any comments from power a/c instructors out there?
> >
> >Regards
> >
> >Michael
> >
> >
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