Circuits

Objectives

To takeoff and follow published procedures that conform to the

aerodrome traffic circuit, avoiding conflict with other aircraft.

To carry out an approach and landing using the most suitable runway
 Performance
Factors affecting take-off performance

Wind speed and direction

Surface
Slope
Aircraft Weight
Density (QNH and Temperature)
Flap (Take-off up to 10°, Landing up to 30°)
 Considerations
Effect of wind Head wind Nil wind Tail wind
 Considerations
Effect of wind Head wind Nil wind Tail wind
 Considerations
Surface
Take-off
Better acceleration on seal
Shorter take-off distance

Landing
Better braking on seal
Shorter landing distance
 Considerations
Slope
Take-off
Shorter take-off distance down hill
Longer take-off distance up hill

Landing
Longer landing distance down hill
Shorter landing distance up hill
 Considerations
Slope

Tendency to be high Tendency to be low

 Considerations
Wind speed and direction
Surface
Slope
Aircraft Weight
Density (QNH and Temperature)
Flap (Take-off up to 10°, Landing up to 30°)
 Considerations
Effect of Flap on Take-off
0˚ - 10˚ flap for take-off
Use flap to: 10˚ flap
• Reduce take-off roll
0˚ flap
• Increase initial obstacle clearance
 Considerations
Effect of Flap on Landing • Fly a steeper approach
• Increase obstacle clearance
• Fly slower approach speeds
• Better visibility
• Shorter ground roll

30˚ flap 0˚ flap

Swing on take-off
Torque Yaw

Slipstream
Torque Propeller rotation

W
29W

More weight transferred to left wheel

Swing on take-off

Slipstream
Torque
Crosswind

29
Use rudder to keep straight
 Considerations
Landing
Power Power controls rate of descent
Maintains rudder / elevator effectiveness

Nose attitude Controls airspeed

 Considerations
Runway perspective on final approach

Too high Correct Too low

 Aircraft Management
Oil Temp & Pressure Carb Heat on below green range
Carb Heat off before landing
 Human Factors
Situational Awareness
Reference points Maintain awareness of:

Lookout Your position

Listen Out Other aircraft in circuit position

Joining aircraft
Stress - Relax, Regular practise
 Human Factors
AVIATE, NAVIGATE, COMMUNICATE

Fly the aircraft

Lookout and maintain awareness of where you are and who is where

Make accurate radio calls

 Human Factors
“The Stabilised Approach”

An approach is considered stable when all of the following criteria are met

Airspeed – Less than 5kts deviation from target

Profile – Aircraft is established on correct flight path (Lateral and vertical)

Sink rate – not greater than 700ft per minute

Configuration – Aircraft is in the correct configuration

If the approach becomes unstable, go around

 Human Factors
Right of way rules
Landing aircraft have right of way to aircraft taking off
Aircraft in the circuit have right of way over aircraft joining
No overtaking
No cutting in front of other aircraft

All turns in circuit direction

Pre Landing Checks

BRAKES PRESSURE, PARK BRAKE OFF

UNDERCARRAIGE DOWN / FIXED

MIXTURE FULL RICH

FUEL FUEL COCK ON / PRIMER LOCKED/ CONTENTS

SUFFICENT
SECURITY HATCH & HARNESS

LIGHTS LANDING LIGHT ON

 Human Factors
Final Checks

FLAPS Set for landing

CARB HEAT Cold

WINDSOCK Direction/Strength
Radio calls
Prior to crossing runways

Prior to entering or lining up on runway

Prior to rolling

Downwind

Any time if necessary

Am I fit to fly?
Illness Free of symptoms.

Medication Aviation approved medications only.

Stress Managing stress well.

Alcohol or Drugs Alcohol in moderation. NO drugs!

Fatigue Good sleep management.

Eating A balanced diet.

 Air Exercise
Line up
x
Windsock checked
Runway correct and clear
Compass/DI aligned with runway x
Landing lights on
Transponder (Alt mode)

Reference points (Low and High)

Radio Call – “Whanganui Traffic, NFO rolling runway 29, remaining in the circuit”
 Air Exercise
Take-off
Full power, keep straight on low ref pt with rudder
Keep nose wheel light with elevator
RPM normal
Check ASI increasing
Rotate 55 kts
Set climb attitude (70 kts)

ZK-MDK
 Air Exercise
After take-off
Keep straight on high ref point
Keep wings level
Check clear of obstacles (300ft) ZK-M
DK

Positive rate of climb

Flaps up
Adjust attitude to maintain 70 kts
Re-trim
 Air Exercise
500 feet AGL
x
Lookout, pick reference point off wingtip

Turn 90◦ onto crosswind

 Air Exercise
Crosswind

Continue climbing

Check 90◦ to runway

 Air Exercise
Downwind turn
Lookout, pick reference point off wingtip

Turn 90◦ onto downwind

Level off

A.P.T.
Circuit Altitude Standard 1000’ AAL

x
 Air Exercise
Downwind
Check spacing (runway 2/3 of the way up the wing strut)
and flying parallel to runway
Check windsock
Radio Call
Pre-landing checks (BUMFSL)

“Whanganui Traffic, NFO downwind runway 29,

touch and go / full stop, number 1”
 Air Exercise
End Downwind

Approaching 45◦ to touchdown point

Carb heat hot, power 1500 rpm (approx.) Keep straight
Increase back pressure to maintain altitude

White arc, lower 10◦ flap

Set descent attitude (75 kts)
Trim
 Air Exercise
Base leg
Lookout, choose reference point off wingtip

Approx. 45◦ from threshold, turn onto base

Assess approach

Lower 20◦ flap

Attitude 70kts ,Trim

POWER controls rate of descent

Attitude controls airspeed

x
 Air Exercise
Base leg
Lookout, use runway as reference point
Anticipate centreline
Turn onto final not below 500 ft AGL
Lower the nose slightly to maintain 70 kts
 Air Exercise
Final Approach
Choose aim point
30◦ Flap
Attitude for 65 kts, Trim
Assess approach
Speed - 65 kts

Profile
Sink rate
 Air Exercise
Final leg

Attitude controls airspeed If airspeed is high If airspeed is low

Raise the nose Lower the nose

 Air Exercise
Final Approach

Too high Correct Too low

 Air Exercise
Final Approach
If aim point is moving down

Decrease power
 Air Exercise
Final Approach
If aim point is moving up

Increase power
 Air Exercise
Final Approach
Choose aim point
30◦ Flap
Attitude for 65 kts, Trim
Assess approach
CheckSpeed
windsock
- 65 kts
FinalProfile
checks
Sink rate If not stable, go around
The landing - Round out and flare
At approx. 30 ft, look at the far end of the runway
Level off – increasing back pressure to hold the nose on a point
at the end of the runway
Power off – Close the throttle and keep straight with rudder on the ref point
Hold off – As airspeed reduces progressively increase elevator back pressure
to touch down on the main wheels
The landing roll
Continue to increase back pressure to allow the nose wheel to gently touch down
Gentle braking as required

ZK-MDK
After landing
Taxi clear of the runway

Clear of the runway

Radio call
After landing checks
Any Questions?
By the end of lesson you will be able to

Fly a circuit pattern around a aerodrome in accordance with the

NZAIP procedures using the most suitable runway