I have a question concerning entering the traffic pattern. Assuming a left hand pattern, landing on runway 26, and am approaching from say approx. 180

You'd enter upwind for your left pattern, turning from your 180' course to 260' at appropriate distance from destination (rough guide, propliners 3 miles, jets 5-8 miles). Then crosswind, same distance, at 170' OVER THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD and then turn to your downwind leg 80'. Consquently, base at 350', eventually turning final at 260'.Simple as that. And I'm a simpleton, so others will elaborate. Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Thanks for the clarification. Was always confused about that.Jim

In the UK there are generally:Overhead Join: You fly over the upwind r/w numbers at a right angle and at 2000', once past the numbers you do a descending left 180deg turn deadside to cross the downwind numbers at circuit height at which point you proceed to join downwind.Crosswind Join: Like half a overhead join. You descend deadside without overflying the upwind numbers to cross the downwind numbers at circuit height, then you proceed to join downwind.Downwind Join: when you are joining livside and reciprocal track from the active runway.Base and Straight-in Join (also called commercial join): Base is where you approach similar to Overhead and Crosswind, but this time you position yourself for a single 90 deg turn onto final (left base is a left 90 deg tuen to final). Straight in is self explanetory.

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