79. Entering The Pattern, Uncontrolled Airport | Gyroplane, What Altitude?  

I would like to take instruction from this CFI. He sounds spot on to me. He is a diplomat too.

Awesome job, Jeremy! Keep up the great work👍

Thank you both for the video. It was very informative. I have a question about your choice to fly the pattern at the same altitude as fixed wing aircraft. According to the “FAA Advisory Circular No. 90-66C, 12.1.3, Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations, 6/6/2023,” Gyroplanes, “…may fly a pattern similar to the fixed-wing aircraft traffic pattern but at a lower altitude (500 feet above ground level (AGL)) and closer to the runway.” I see several benefits to this. 1) Gyroplanes can be difficult to see since they do not have the large wingspan that fixed wing aircraft have. 2) Gyroplanes typically fly a slower speed in the pattern than fixed wing aircraft. I wouldn’t want a Cessna to approach me at a faster speed, from behind, focusing on their pre-landing checklist, and failing to see me. 3) What if there were an incident? Could your insurance company deny your claim since the AO recommends a pattern at 500 feet AGL? 4) If you were to have an engine failure while flying the fixed wing pattern, you may not have the glide distance to reach the runway. 5) Finally, shouldn’t all gyroplanes be doing the same thing? There are even some gyroplane pilots who fly opposite patterns similar to helicopters in order to stay out of the way of fixed wing aircraft. Without consistency, gyroplanes appear to just be going rogue!

Let me just comment on Jeremy’s flying. He does very well when he is relaxed. In the video, I can see his body tense up from time to time, and this is when he gets flustered by mistakes. Relax, Jeremy; you’re doing great!

Well done. The debrief can be a very useful tool for improvement. And as Henry said, aviate, navigate and communicate. I prefer towered airports for the very reasons he cited.

In the UK, it is only expected that students announce "student" when solo and then only on their initial contact. It does help the ATCO to make allowances for the lack of experience.

Way cool!

Doing great Jeremy! Just let it all soak in, and have fun!!

Great video. A very willing student with a very positive and supportive instructor. Well done to both of you! Very informative. Thank you, Jeremy and Henry!

Great job fellows!, however, still the only time I would fly with Jeremy is, when I'm asleep & incapacitated!😅...Ur're gettin there Bud, "RELAX"

Thanks so much for addressing this subject. I have been thinking about this very situation, as there is only one main airport in my area. This was fantastic information to go over!

At about the 6:30 timeline point you say that pattern altitude is 1,000 ft AGL, as a rotorcraft aren’t we normally at 500’ agl? I agree crossing the field we should be at 500’ above fixed wing pattern height but let down to 500’ to join downwind. I always call my height downwind so as FW aircraft know I am below them. Your videos are great.

Your method of entering the traffic pattern at Corona seems to be picking up popularity lately, but I think that could be a little more risky than a midfield crosswind entry. Firstly, it is flown initially at 1500 AGL. Turbine-powered airplanes will fly a 1500-ft pattern, so you would be transitioning through the pattern of faster aircraft perhaps. Secondly, the maneuver requires a descent to traffic pattern altitude, which often happens in the area where downwind traffic could be expected. It shouldn’t, but the tendency is to rush the maneuver instead of flying past the traffic area before descending/turning. AC90-66C, to the FAA’s credit, has made an attempt to clarify rotorcraft operations in the traffic pattern.

Final landing I was telling Jeremy your coming up short more power. Lol Jermey “I’m coming in short” great job keep up the work

Great flying Jeremy! Just a little bit more consistency and refinement and you'll be there! Enjoy your superbowl evening at Adventure Air!

Nice job boys. A fun ride along on Superbowl Sunday. Thx.

Thank you for your videos. AC 90-66C is also good reference for nontowered operations

I say Jeremy is doing fine! I remember being at that point in my fixed wing training. I pretty sure I was looking at least as bad or worse than Jeremy.

"What about saying 'senior citizen pilot'😊?"

What are you trimming when you do that is the tail plane moveable?

Love the debrief..

"Promo SM" 🤪