Traffic Patterns

Traffic patterns: How does something so simple get so messed up?

In my travels around the country as a ferry pilot, and working students at and around our home airport, I’m hearing more and more wrong things being said on the radio, and procedures not being followed. I fly from Arlington Airport, a non towered airport in Washington State, and this is an example of what I hear from time to time. The airplane make is obviously fictitious, as I don’t want to single out any person or airplane type. “Arlington traffic, BelchFire 123 departing runway 34 westbound.”


Seems clear enough, or does it. What is westbound? Heading 270? Track 270? 90 degrees from runway heading, that would make it 250 degrees? Somewhere in the westerly hemispherical rule? I have asked pilots and CFIs that use this term, and I have gotten all of the above answers. So when I hear it, I really don’t know where the pilot is going.


OK then, what is the correct answer? Easy. Ever heard of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)?



Chapter 4-3-3, paragraph 6. If departing the traffic pattern, continue straight out, or exit with a 45 degree turn (to the left when in a left-hand traffic pattern; to the right when in a right-hand traffic pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway, after reaching pattern altitude.


OK – easy enough, no such thing as a west or any other direction of departure, only the straight out or 45 degree turn in the direction of the traffic pattern. No crosswind or downwind departures at non towered airports, period.


Well then what about the towered airport? Not so different, except you may ask for and get almost anything that the tower can work out. Straight out, crosswind, downwind turn in the opposite direction of the traffic pattern, almost anything. BUT, when ready for takeoff, do not ask them for a westbound, or any other direction of takeoff. The tower will give it to you, if able, but the other pilots, especially inbound have no idea what direction you are really going. Straight out, crosswind, downwind, now I know where you are going. Remember too, that some towered airports have published VFR departure procedures and they may assign one to you, so in preparation for that airport become familiar with those procedures.


Oh, by the way, if you ask for a crosswind departure, please really depart on the crosswind, and by looking at the drawing above, you will see that it is a 90 degree turn from the upwind. An easy way to remember the 45 or 90 degree departure is to look at your heading indicator or OBS. The 45 or 90 is easy to discern, and when you get to pattern altitude turn to that heading.

That all the harping I’ll do today, so from here on out, I don’t want to be hearing any directions mentioned in radio calls. As always, thanks for letting me vent.