by
Innovative Pilot Aids
uncertainty and guesswork of approaching, entering
and flying the traffic pattern of uncontrolled airports.
The computer works in tandem with your GPS unit to
help you visualize your approach to the traffic pattern,
select a traffic pattern entry, navigate to a point from
which to make the traffic pattern entry and fly the
traffic pattern. The only GPS programming required is
setting up your GPS for direct-to navigation to the
airport of intended landing.
The Traffic Pattern Approach Computer provides
navigational guidance to one of three Pattern
Approach Points from which a proper traffic pattern
entry can be made. The Pattern Approach points
accommodate the 45/Preferred Entry, the Preferred
Entry-Crossing Midfield, the Alternate Midfield Entry
and the Straight-in Approach. The aircraft’s bearing to
the airport, runway heading and the pattern direction
determine which pattern approach points and
corresponding pattern entries are available.
Navigational guidance is always provided for either the
45/Preferred Entry or the 45/Preferred Entry-Crossing
Midfield.
In order to help you visualize your approach and
provide positional awareness in relation to the runway
and traffic pattern, the computer provides a scale
Approach Diagram representing the area within a 10
mile radius of the center of the runway. Starting at
the outer boundary of the diagram are color coded
lines illustrating the available approaches from all
points around the airport.
The computer provides a course or track to fly when
you reach a distance of ten miles from the airport that
will take you to the chosen Pattern Approach Point.
The computer can also provide a simulated course
deviation indicator and turn indicator as you approach
the Pattern Approach Point. The computer also
provides the track for the pattern entry and pattern
legs.
