<\/h3>\nBut recently I was told that I was flying too small a pattern.\u00a0Seems some Whuffos[1]<\/a>down below were complaining. I should point out at this point, that the whuffos complaining are not pilots and have absolutely no knowledge of flying.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tailwheelersjournal.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DSCN6186-1024x768.jpg\")
My pal, Keith McFarland, on the approach when a landing in a turn is the best way to land.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\nSo, I took advantage of a visiting flyer who was here for some refreshing.\u00a0 We flew the pattern at the airport in question.\u00a0 We flew the pattern that I had been told should be flown.\u00a0 When an engine failure was simulated, we could not glide to the runway. We had flown too long an upwind leg to allow that.\u00a0 \u00a0Similarly, a flight as far out from the runway as Acme often flies resulted in the same inability to get back.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nWe would have had to land in a field or other place not designed for airplanes to land.\u00a0 Hmmm, that seemed a little strange.\u00a0 So we flew a smaller pattern.\u00a0 Then we could make it.\u00a0 As far as the downwind leg is concerned, I fly a lower one than most but also fly closer to the runway so that I am just as safe.\u00a0 And I have saved my student a lot of money because he doesn\u2019t have to burn more fuel and consume more tach time by getting to the published pattern altitude.\u00a0 That technique coupled with our usual multiple landings gives him many times the landings and education that his colleague who is flying with Acme gets.\u00a0 Now I know that sometimes I seem to be flying differently than the clowns at Acme, but is it really wrong to choose the safer way to fly?\u00a0 Don\u2019t the regs state that in the event of engine failure one should be at an altitude and distance from obstacles that a safe landing can be made?\u00a0 Is the quiet of those who have chosen to live or work right next to an airport actually more important than the safety of everyone?<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nIt seems to me that regs are often the result of an attempt by the powers that be to create regulation which will replace common sense.\u00a0It\u2019s because they believe that those they are regulating have no common sense, so we must create enough regulation to cover all contingencies.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, but that doesn\u2019t work.\u00a0 I just proved it.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nIt\u2019s really a shame that so much hate and discontent has become the result of an airman\u2019s quest for safety.\u00a0 But I guess when the whuffos become so powerful that it\u2019s easier for me and people like me to quit, they will have won.\u00a0 Their ignorance will replace our common sense.\u00a0 The day that happens will be a black day indeed.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nYou know that old rule that I quoted at the beginning of this little article?\u00a0 Well, that rule is not a regulation.\u00a0 No it\u2019s common sense.\u00a0 And you know something?\u00a0 More pilots should follow it. But modern Whuffos, who have no knowledge of aviation, know nothing about it.\u00a0 Hmmm, isn\u2019t that interesting?\u00a0 Those concerned with safety, have no knowledge of safe operations!<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\nMy pal, Keith McFarland, on the approach when a landing in a turn is the best way to land.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\nSo, I took advantage of a visiting flyer who was here for some refreshing.\u00a0 We flew the pattern at the airport in question.\u00a0 We flew the pattern that I had been told should be flown.\u00a0 When an engine failure was simulated, we could not glide to the runway. We had flown too long an upwind leg to allow that.\u00a0 \u00a0Similarly, a flight as far out from the runway as Acme often flies resulted in the same inability to get back.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nWe would have had to land in a field or other place not designed for airplanes to land.\u00a0 Hmmm, that seemed a little strange.\u00a0 So we flew a smaller pattern.\u00a0 Then we could make it.\u00a0 As far as the downwind leg is concerned, I fly a lower one than most but also fly closer to the runway so that I am just as safe.\u00a0 And I have saved my student a lot of money because he doesn\u2019t have to burn more fuel and consume more tach time by getting to the published pattern altitude.\u00a0 That technique coupled with our usual multiple landings gives him many times the landings and education that his colleague who is flying with Acme gets.\u00a0 Now I know that sometimes I seem to be flying differently than the clowns at Acme, but is it really wrong to choose the safer way to fly?\u00a0 Don\u2019t the regs state that in the event of engine failure one should be at an altitude and distance from obstacles that a safe landing can be made?\u00a0 Is the quiet of those who have chosen to live or work right next to an airport actually more important than the safety of everyone?<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nIt seems to me that regs are often the result of an attempt by the powers that be to create regulation which will replace common sense.\u00a0It\u2019s because they believe that those they are regulating have no common sense, so we must create enough regulation to cover all contingencies.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, but that doesn\u2019t work.\u00a0 I just proved it.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nIt\u2019s really a shame that so much hate and discontent has become the result of an airman\u2019s quest for safety.\u00a0 But I guess when the whuffos become so powerful that it\u2019s easier for me and people like me to quit, they will have won.\u00a0 Their ignorance will replace our common sense.\u00a0 The day that happens will be a black day indeed.<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nYou know that old rule that I quoted at the beginning of this little article?\u00a0 Well, that rule is not a regulation.\u00a0 No it\u2019s common sense.\u00a0 And you know something?\u00a0 More pilots should follow it. But modern Whuffos, who have no knowledge of aviation, know nothing about it.\u00a0 Hmmm, isn\u2019t that interesting?\u00a0 Those concerned with safety, have no knowledge of safe operations!<\/h3>\n