"Make right base"

[ayryq]

I was looking at a track log of a flight I did recently and I'm wondering if I screwed up. Way out from the airport (before entering the C) the approach controller told me to make right base, runway 7. Tower controller cleared me to land on my first call. I'm attaching a screenshot of my path, which shows I really flew part of a right downwind before turning base. Should I have aimed south of the airport (from way back in Brighton?) so as to hit the corner of downwind-to-base (pink line)? Or aim further south still (down by RIT) and then come straight into a base (green line)? What did they expect here, when I was coming in basically parallel to the runway?
I was flying visually without GPS or anything, so I was basically aiming for "the airport" until I could see the layout of runways out the windscreen. This was on my way to my private checkride, so I had said "student pilot" (for the last time) on my call-up to the approach controller.
I definitely overthink things like this but I do want to give controllers what they expect. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Brad W]

I don't know the "correct answer", but the way I look at it... you'll be descending through this phase. When I'm getting lower I want to be getting closer to the airport. Coming from the East you're set up for a downwind entry and that's exactly what I would have done...setting up downwind close abeam to the runway just as I would at any uncontrolled field, to make that right base turn as directed....

 

[Initial Fix]

Looks like you did good keeping a nice tight pattern. If tower had wanted you a bit wider they would ask.

 

[UngaWunga]

Which runway, 04, 07, or 10? Personally I like to be close enough to see any traffic on the runway I'm landing on when on the downwind leg, parallel to the that runway. I believe its also where the tower expects you to be. But that could also depend on other traffic that's in the area, runways in use, etc.
You did fine.

 

[Velocity173]

Not a big deal but technically he / she should’ve said “enter right base.” Based on your position “make right traffic” would have been the most appropriate. I would have gone further south but either way, I don’t think tower would have a problem in how you entered.

 

[ayryq]

Which runway, 04, 07, or 10?

07

Not a big deal but technically he should’ve said “enter right base.” Based on your position “make right traffic” would have been the most appropriate. I would have gone further south but either way, I don’t think tower would have a problem in how you entered.

I normally record flights but since it was checkride day I left all that stuff at home. They may have said "enter" right base but I'm pretty sure base was mentioned, not "traffic."

 

[Jim K]

Nope, no worries here. From the direction you were coming, giving you a right downwind would've made more sense. I'm pretty sure as long as you were on the south side of the runway he was happy. Going into a controlled field, if they need you somewhere else, they'll tell you.

I hope your checkride went well!

 

[RussR]

You did fine, I would not have changed anything. You're not expected to do unusual maneuvers. And you did comply with ATC, as you did make a right base. So there's no issue.

I was flying visually without GPS or anything,

I didn't realize this was still possible!

 

[ayryq]

I hope your checkride went well!

It went very well. I got "right base" on the way back too, but it made a lot more sense coming from the SE. Also got "cleared to land" before I was completely sure I was even in the class C airspace. I made a comment to my DPE on that point and he shrugged and said "I'm just a dumb passenger!" Must have been an especially slow day at KROC that day.

 

[ayryq]

I didn't realize this was still possible!

Hey, if you don't have a GPS or an EFB, they can't inop it mid-checkride. Although I wasn't allowed to use VOR to navigate, I was permitted to use it to get unlost later.

 

[Jim K]

Also got "cleared to land" before I was completely sure I was even in the class C airspace.

That happens pretty often at my home base class C too.

Congratulations, and welcome to the club!

 

[Racerx]

You did fine, I would not have changed anything. You're not expected to do unusual maneuvers. And you did comply with ATC, as you did make a right base. So there's no issue.



I didn't realize this was still possible!

I did it for my checkride. Had the efb in the backseat. But used paper. When it came time for diversion examiner said, "using ALL tools available, how far are we from closest airport." That's when the tablet came out. He didn't want to see the plotter. Honestly can't remember if GPS was even turned off.

Congrats on the checkride! I see nothing to second guess

 

[midlifeflyer]

You did fine. What they are mostly expecting is for you to take the most efficient path to a right base position. The only time this can conceivably be an issue is if they really don't want you on downwind. Like a busy class D with lots of training operations and 8 airplanes doing pattern work. But even then, I'd expect an additional instruction.

 

[Dixiebluesky]

After getting that instruction, from your position I would have simply asked for the downwind or cut it out a bit farther. At a C this really is a non issue. However at a D with no radar that can have a busy pattern if told to enter a base I wouldn't go to the downwind. I knew a guy who got a call the tower for entering on the downwind when instructed to enter on the base leg. He didn't get a deviation but more or less made aware that they had no radar and people really need to enter where told.

 

[Daleandee]

Congrats on the PPL! As far as the pattern entry ... if you didn't get a number to copy I'd forget it.