FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Airspace and AirportsMedium
A pilot approaching a nontowered airport observes a segmented circle with a set of traffic pattern indicators showing a right-hand pattern for the runway in use. What should the pilot do?
- AContact the FSS to confirm before deviating from the standard left-hand pattern
- BDisregard the indicators since segmented circles apply only to towered airports
- CEnter the pattern using standard left turns since right patterns are only advisory
- DFly all turns in the traffic pattern to the right as depicted by the indicators
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Fly all turns in the traffic pattern to the right as depicted by the indicators
Segmented circles with traffic pattern indicators (L-shaped extensions) show the direction of turns for each runway. When they indicate a right-hand pattern, pilots must fly right turns for that runway, overriding the standard left-turn default.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. There is no requirement to contact FSS to confirm charted pattern indicators before flying the pattern.
- B. Segmented circles are specifically used at airports without operating control towers to indicate traffic patterns.
- C. Right-pattern indicators are not merely advisory; they establish a mandatory pattern direction at that airport.
Segmented Circle & Traffic Pattern Indicators
A segmented circle installed at nontowered airports provides traffic pattern information via extensions showing the direction of turns for each runway.
- Standard pattern is left turns unless indicated otherwise
- L-shaped extensions from the circle show turn direction per runway
- Also may include a wind indicator such as a tetrahedron or wind sock
Memory trick: 'The segmented circle tells the story, follow its arms for glory'