Circuit Procedures

Entering Runway

  • Active listening to radio
  • Aircraft configured for takeoff and all checks completed
  • Think thru scenario for engine failure after takeoff
  • Radio call prior
  • Visual look for aircraft

Takeoff

  • Check runway is safe for takeoff
  • Confirm taking off into wind direction
  • Use entire runway
  • Line up centerline
  • Full throttle
  • Right rudder pressure
  • Release brakes
  • Hold center line
  • Use controls as per POH and instructors lessons

After Takeoff

  • Be careful to gain airspeed
  • Hold centreline
  • Do as instructions and lessons taught in regard to airspeed, throttle flaps etc
  • Clear turn by checking for traffic
  • Turn crosswind at or after 500 feet

Crosswind

  • Continue climb to correct level, usually 1000 feet
  • Level aircraft
  • Then throttle back
  • Approaching 45° from threshold
  • Make downwind call
  • Clear turn by checking for traffic
  • Commence turn

Downwind

  • Watch for joining traffic
  • Check altitude within 50 feet
  • Fly parallel to runway
  • Perform pre landing checks BUMFISH (brakes, undercarriage, mixture, fuel instruments, switches, harness & hatches)
  • Slow the aircraft if necessary ready for descent if on 1000 ft or 1500 ft circuits
  • If aircraft ahead is on base extend downwind until they are on final and you pass
  • Approaching 45° from runway threshold make base radio call
  • Clear turn by checking for traffic
  • Commence turn

Base – For aircraft at 1000 ft or 1500 ft circuits

  • Aircraft doing circuits at 1000 or 1500 feet will begin descent
  • Descent should be appropriate so that final turn is completed above or at 500 feet
  • Configure aircraft for landing as taught
  • Make turning final call if taught to do so
  • Approaching the centerline clear turn by checking for traffic
  • Check airspeed
  • Commence turn
  • End turn when on the centerline and at or above 500 feet

Base – For aircraft at 500 ft circuits

  • Aircraft doing circuits at 500 feet will not begin descent
  • Fly perpendicular to runway
  • Configure aircraft for landing as taught
  • Make call turing final, if you have been taught to do so
  • Check airspeed
  • Approaching the centerline clear turn by checking for traffic
  • Commence turn
  • End turn when on the centerline and at or above 500 feet

Final

  • Commence at or above 500 feet
  • Stabilise the aircraft
  • Get approach speed correct and monitor airspeed regularly
  • Use throttle to adjust distance
  • Check windsock
  • Check runway for aircraft

Landing

Note this is theory only and is null and void by anything an instructor teaches you.

  • Approaching the ground effect begin the round out
  • Hold the aircraft just off the runway raising the nose as the aircraft slows until it finally wont stay of the runway
  • Hold the nose wheel up as required and even when it touches,keep back pressure on the elevator
  • Ailerons should be turned into the wind
  • Steer with rudder
  • Apply brakes as required
  • Configure aircraft for taxiing
  • Exit runway and make clear of runways call
  • or configure for takeoff and do a touch and go as taught by instructor