Flying the Pattern

References

• Cessna C172SP POH
• Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B) Chapter 7, Airport Traffic Patterns
• Flying the Pattern in a Cessna C172SP by Wes Irish

Setup

• Pre-flight complete
• Run-up complete
• Cleared for take-off

Take-off

• Lights, Camera, Action
  • Lights ➔ all exterior lights on
  • Camera ➔ transponder on ALT
  • Action ➔ mixture full rich
  • check flaps (0-10°)
  • check trim (take-off position)
• Apply full throttle over 2-3 seconds
• Apply ailerons into the wind
• Apply rudder to hold center line
• Apply mild back pressure at Vr
• Apply right rudder as needed to stay coordinated on climb out
• Retract flaps (if any) at Vy
• Continue climb at Vy or faster as necessary for visibility

Crosswind / Downwind

• Turn crosswind at 300' below pattern altitude, or as directed by the tower, local procedures, or traffic
• Start to level off slightly before reaching pattern altitude (25-50' before)
• Let the aircraft increase speed to 85-90 KTS
• Reduce power to 2000 RPM (should be at 0° flaps)
• Maintain pattern altitude at 85-90 KTS (adjust power if/as needed)

If #1 cleared to land

• Reduce power to approximately 1800 RPM
• Set one notch of flaps
• Adjust for a bit more nose down pitch to maintain 80-85 knots and a mild descent

If extended downwind

• Set one notch of flaps
• Adjust power and trim to continue to hold pattern altitude and approximately 85 KTS
• Turn base as instructed by tower (or as appropriate in a non-towered environment)

Base

• Turn base when approximately 45 from the numbers, or as instructed by the tower
• Set flaps to two notches (must be 85 KTS or below)
• Maintain/adjust pitch for 75 KTS
• Adjust power if/as needed to maintain appropriate altitude, usually around 1600 RPM

Final

• Turn final to roll out on centerline of the runway
• When within 1 mile of the runway set full flaps and reduce to 65 KTS
• Maintain glide slope and 65 KTS

Landing

• Smoothly reduce power to idle at or before level-off as appropriate
• Level off just above runway
• Hold center line with ailerons
• Hold alignment with rudder
• Hold just above runway with gradual increase in back pressure until aircraft settles onto runway
• Gradually apply braking and continue to increase back pressure until yoke is fully back
• Do not lock the brakes