[ ] Yes, I know what “remaining in the pattern” means
Awesome, you know more than quite a lot of fellow pilots flying on expert server.
[ ] No, I am not sure what “remaining in the pattern” means
OK – please read on.
If I’d get a free beer for every pilot making a wrong “remaining in the pattern” call, I’d be drunk 24/7 while controlling… So, let’s say you are first in the queue and are holding short of the runway. You press “Request Takeoff” and select the runway. Now you are presented with two options:
Remaining in the pattern
If you select this option, you are telling tower that you will be staying inside the airport’s airspace. You intend to fly a circuit and will land again at the airport you just departed. ATC will tell you “make left/right traffic” with your takeoff clearance, letting you know in which direction your first turn into crosswind should be. Once you’re airborne, tower may also give you sequencing information if there are other aircraft in the pattern. Do not select “remaining in the pattern” if you intend to depart the airport and fly somewhere else. It is really frustrating for the controller and messes up his/her plans.
Departing (North/East/West/Straight out)
Select this option if you intend to leave the airport and fly somewhere else. Tower will know that you’re leaving and will expect you to continue your climb in the direction you indicated. Do not select this option and call “inbound for landing” once airborne… this will also mess up the controllers’ plan.
I know there are already tutorials about “remaining in the pattern”, but this mistake is the single most frustrating thing for me when controlling on expert. It happens so often that I felt it would be appropriate to post this reminder.
The thing that annoys me the most is when you request a touch and go, and the ATC clears you to land. I then don’t know which way to turn after doing my Touch and Go.
And yes, I do know what it means
Mistakes happen on both sides. In your case, I would just report my position again after having received the clearance and add “Touch & go”. That will give the controller a hint that he gave you the wrong clearance and he should clear you again correctly with the missing pattern instruction.
I think the better solution to this problem would be to swap the position of “Remaining in the pattern” and “Departing…”. I have a feeling that people rush to get the command out, and simply press the first thing that they see which is “remaining in the pattern”. If “departing…” was listed first, this would slow people down to make a better and more appropriate decision based on their flight plan.
common mistake from me and other atc members but as pilots normally do, think ahead. Check which downwind is busier and avoid going there. At busy times don’t repeat position for touch and go unless if atc isn’t highly busy as they become frustrated. Thinking ahead and situational awareness is key.
If that happens report your position saying “touch and go”, that will let tower ATC know he may have made a mistake and typically he would then clear you correctly for the option.
