stagecoachco
Line Up and Wait
On sunday I was flying the pattern at Longmont (LMO) doing touch and goes on runway 11. I had done a few laps in the pattern (CFI on board). We had just turned from upwind to crosswind (with the appropriate call on the radio) when we heard a Bonanza report three miles north making a 45 degree entry to left downwind for runway 11. I was a little concerned as I figured that would put our paths in convergance. I turned downwind and made my announcement. I was looking pretty hard out the right side of the plane to see if I could locate the Bo. My CFI said that he would look for the Bo, and that I should concentrate on flying the pattern. As we came abeam the numbers for 29, we still did not have the Bo in sight. About mid field my CFI said "there is the Bonanza". I looked out the right to see the Bo making a turn to avoid us. He was pretty close and a little lower.
My question is who had the right of way, and what could have been done different? I do know that my radio was transmitting, as I was acknowledged earlier by another plane in the pattern. Also I had no problem communicating with ATC on the return to Rocky Mtn Metro (BJC).
Here are my thoughts:
One idea that I had was that I could have made an additional position report when abeam the numbers of 29 to let the Bo know where I was on the downwind. I could have also asked the Bo if he saw me, or knew that I was in the pattern on downwind.
If I had heard his initial call when I was on upwind, I think I would have extended my upwind to give the Bo space to enter the pattern. But, being on crosswind, about to turn downwind, I am not sure what my options were other than leaving the pattern and rejoining on a 45.
Looking at FAR/AIM there do not seem to be any special right of way rules that apply to traffic patterns. Since I was the aircraft to the right (when I saw the Bo, he was slighty ahead of me.) I should have given way. How would you do that in the traffic pattern safely? I would not want to bear left and go over the field (esp. at TPA).
Anyway, what are your thoughts?
My question is who had the right of way, and what could have been done different? I do know that my radio was transmitting, as I was acknowledged earlier by another plane in the pattern. Also I had no problem communicating with ATC on the return to Rocky Mtn Metro (BJC).
Here are my thoughts:
One idea that I had was that I could have made an additional position report when abeam the numbers of 29 to let the Bo know where I was on the downwind. I could have also asked the Bo if he saw me, or knew that I was in the pattern on downwind.
If I had heard his initial call when I was on upwind, I think I would have extended my upwind to give the Bo space to enter the pattern. But, being on crosswind, about to turn downwind, I am not sure what my options were other than leaving the pattern and rejoining on a 45.
Looking at FAR/AIM there do not seem to be any special right of way rules that apply to traffic patterns. Since I was the aircraft to the right (when I saw the Bo, he was slighty ahead of me.) I should have given way. How would you do that in the traffic pattern safely? I would not want to bear left and go over the field (esp. at TPA).
Anyway, what are your thoughts?