Pattern Work and Go Arounds @ LPMA

This question is for the experts.

When allowing pattern work and or issuing a go-around am I correct as the controller to always turn the aircraft towards the ocean

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Yes, since you wouldn’t want them to crash into the mountain.

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Thank you very much I was second-guessing myself based on seeing grades 4 and 5 turn towards the mountain against my commands as if i do not know what I’m doing as a training server air traffic controller

Grade typically doesn’t say anything about a user, except that they play a lot. If they’d like to turn towards the mountain, that’s their problem. However, a standard pattern cannot be completed if you turn that way, so you are correct to turn them towards the ocean.

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That statement should be pinned 😍

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Not sure whether pattern work is the right choice in LPMA (at least for RWY 05 ops), but you would want them to turn right after the takeoff and then join the visual inbound again.

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It makes me feel good to know as a training server air traffic controller if I’m using Runway 05 all aircraft will turn to the right and if I’m using Runway 23 all aircraft will turn to the left

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Yes sir that’s correct as far as I remember. Safe travels

I usually don’t do pattern work at this Airport but when the traffic is extremely slow I don’t have a problem with it I just wanted to make sure that my operations were correct regardless of whether the pilot listens or not

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Just be aware of spacing. Maintain a large gap for inbound aircraft, some may want to back taxi before taking off, and some may have to back taxi once landed. This happened during my control, on ES yesterday multiple times.

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Patterns should always be allowed unless the volume of traffic is too high, terrain makes it impossible (such as with KASE), or the visibility is less than 3sm (5000m).

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I agree with you that back taxing is a very big portion of controlling at this Airport

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Terrain makes it difficult (length of downwind), hence my post.

Not if you turn them towards the ocean :)

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Well, you have to turn „base“ according to the visual approach pretty early, hence a short downwind (if I have at correctly in my mind).

We all agree that pattern work might be a little difficult at this airport but it can be done

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Ah, I see what you’re saying! Since the terrain barely sticks out on the final approach, an earlier base turn is required.

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According to the recommended altitude on the visual approach, looks like a standard GA pattern can be completed.

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