TURBULENCE TROUBLES

摘要

Q: Since I cannot fly a standard traffic pattern when the winds are strong and gusty and the air is turbulent, is it acceptable to just fly a straight-in approach? A: I know it is bad form to answer a question with a question, but why can you not fly a standard traffic pattern when it is gusty and turbulent? I agree that it can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The natural movement of an air mass carries an aircraft within it. This is an important concept to understand for pattern work. Crabbing is the compensation applied to prevent drift, and to maintain a desired ground track. A traffic pattern is a rectangle; unless the wind is directly down or across the runway, it is safe to assume some amount of crab must be applied on all four legs.