Been reading through some topics on here with interest. Came across this in the "Radio Usage Plea" thread:
IMHHO (honest & humble), right of way is strictly limited to the following:767 wrote:If you are in the circuit and have just took off, and you turn crosswind (typically at 500' AGL), you have right of way vs the guy coming for the straight in. Keep in mind that when your flying circuits, you want to turn crosswind at the point where you will place yourself 45 deg to the runway once you reach the downwind turning point.schmoo wrote:I was a little confused as well, but at the risk of earning some well-deserved eye rolling, I will attempt a summary :
If two aircraft are both joining the circuit, the mid-downwind has the right of way over the "straight in" downwind. However, if an ac is already established in the circuit ( e.g.) doing touch and goes, etc. , then the ac joining the circuit mid-downwind does not have right of way.
However, as someone pointed out, it is highly possible that the guy joining mid-downwind does not know whether the ac that is already in the downwind is doing circuits or has just joined. So, in the absence of knowing, the mid-downwind ac just assumes he has the right of way.
Do I have it even remotely right ?
If you are not in the circuit (when you are on the dead side, or upwind side), then you have to give right of way to the aircraft that is already "established" in the circuit (downwind)
All these procedures are reccomended. Im not sure if they are compulsury. Correct me if Im wrong, but some people say that you can basically do whatever you want at an uncontrolled airport. I have not read that anywhere. Regardless, I still follow the reccommended procedures.
So first IFR has no necessary ROW over VFR. Second, traffic already established in a circuit pattern do not necessarily have ROW over those entering the circuit.Canadian Air Regulations wrote:(2) No person shall operate a balloon on a flight that is planned to enter Class C airspace while over a built-up area unless the clearance to enter that airspace that is required pursuant to section 601.08 has been obtained from the appropriate air traffic control unit prior to take-off.
Right of Way - General
602.19 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
(a) the pilot-in-command of an aircraft that has the right of way shall, if there is any risk of collision, take such action as is necessary to avoid collision; and
(b) where the pilot-in-command of an aircraft is aware that another aircraft is in an emergency situation, the pilot-in-command shall give way to that other aircraft.
(2) When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way [...]
(d) a power-driven aircraft shall give way to aircraft that are seen to be towing gliders or other objects or carrying a slung load.[...]
(4) Where an aircraft is required to give way to another aircraft, the pilot-in-command of the first-mentioned aircraft shall not pass over or under, or cross ahead of, the other aircraft unless passing or crossing at such a distance as will not create a risk of collision.
(5) Where two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is a risk of collision, the pilot-in-command of each aircraft shall alter its heading to the right.
(6) An aircraft that is being overtaken has the right of way and the pilot-in-command of the overtaking aircraft, whether climbing, descending or in level flight, shall give way to the other aircraft by altering the heading of the overtaking aircraft to the right, and no subsequent change in the relative positions of the two aircraft shall absolve the pilot-in-command of the overtaking aircraft from this obligation until that aircraft has entirely passed and is clear of the other aircraft.
(7) Where an aircraft is in flight or manoeuvring on the surface, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft shall give way to an aircraft that is landing or about to land.
(8) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is approaching an aerodrome for the purpose of landing shall give way to any aircraft at a lower altitude that is also approaching the aerodrome for the purpose of landing.
(9) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft at a lower altitude, as described in subsection (8), shall not overtake or cut in front of an aircraft at a higher altitude that is in the final stages of an approach to land.
(10) No person shall conduct or attempt to conduct a take-off or landing in an aircraft until there is no apparent risk of collision with any aircraft, person, vessel, vehicle or structure in the take-off or landing path.
Say I am joining from the upwind side, aiming for mid left downwind but I am converging with another A/C already on DW. I would give way to them, as they are on my right (I see the red light).
Say I am joining from the upwind side, aiming for mid right downwind but I am converging with another aircraft already on DW. They should give way to me, as I am on their right (I see a green light).
As far as joining the downwind directly ("strait-in"). If I am aiming to join straight into a left hand downwind, and another aircraft was on crosswind, they should give way since I am on their right (unless you think 8 or 9 above trumps) if it was a right hand circuit, then I would give way since they are on my right.
Thoughts???
