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At 07:29 PM 8/14/00 -0700, g w wrote:
>----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any

>advice in this forum.]----
>Greg, I say assholes are ones who get on the radio at an uncontrolled
field
>and start trying to tell people what to do.  Obviously the wind was such
>that he could land that way successfully, so why was he the "wrong way
>traffic?"

Glen...

It is entirely appropriate for traffic established in the pattern to
inform 
someone
who calls an approach to the opposite runway of what runway is currently 
'active'
(that is, has airplanes in its pattern) at that airport. In fact, it is a 
requirement of
safe operations. Airplanes established in the pattern cannot easily change
to
accommodate the contrary plane, nor are they expected to.

As a rule, when you approach an uncontrolled field where traffic is 
established
in the pattern, you utilize the active runway they are using. It is the 
safe and
prudent thing to do. It is also a mark of gentlemanly behavior.

'Compelling reasons' include things like the wind favoring the opposite
(or 
cross)
runway, the need for a different type or length of surface, inability to 
negotiate
terrain or other obstructions, need for immediate landing, and so forth.

They do not include, 'the heading from where I was coming from is closer
to
downwind, so I choose to go the opposite way from the traffic in the
pattern.'

Doing so is unsafe (the risk of meeting someone going the other way should
you have to go around is very high), inconsiderate (you can't 'blend in' 
with the
traffic that is coming the other way), and disruptive (at many small
airports,
you're going to end up taxiing the 'wrong way' as well) on the ground.

It is boorish behavior which is tantamount to cutting in line at the bank
or
grocery store, and is the mark of poor judgement which, according to Fred
Weick, was the single most important factor in aviation safety.

Greg




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