Flying the Rectangular Course Private Pilot Curriculum Stephen

Flying the Rectangular Course Private Pilot Curriculum Stephen Saslow August 2020

Objective The student should develop knowledge of the elements related to the rectangular course and the elements involved in maintaining a proper ground track. The student will have the ability to perform the maneuver as required in the ACS/PTS.

Elements of the Rectangular Course • Selecting a Suitable Altitude • Selecting a Suitable Reference Point • The Basics • Performing the Rectangular Course

What is the Rectangular Course, Why do we learn it? The Rectangular Course is a training maneuver in which the ground track of the airplane is equidistant from all sides of a selected rectangular area on the ground. This maneuver simulates the conditions encountered in a traffic pattern and therefore prepares the student for traffic pattern work.

The Rectangular Course Assists in Practicing • Maintaining a specific relationship between the airplane and the ground • Dividing attention between the flightpath, ground based references, manipulating the flight controls, and scanning for outside hazards and instrument indications • Adjusting the bank angle during turns to correct for groundspeed changes in order to maintain constant radius turns • Rolling out from a turn with the required wind correction angle to compensate for any drift caused by wind • Establishing and correcting the wind correction angle in order to maintain the track over the ground • Preparing the pilot for the airport traffic pattern and subsequent landing practice

How to Fly the Rectangular Course Selecting a Suitable Altitude • Entry altitude should be 600’ - 1, 000’ AGL (per the ACS) • ± 100’ altitude restrictions • At <800’ AGL, there is little room for error below • Recommend 800’-1000’ AGL • +/- 10 kts airspeed

• A square or rectangular field, or an area with suitable ground references on all four sides should be selected • Similar to a traffic pattern, the sides should be 5, 000 – 10, 000’ in length (one to two miles) Selecting a Suitable Reference Point • Wind direction must be estimated (METAR, blowing smoke, water, trees, fields, or a 360 degree turn noting ground track) • Per the ACS, the maneuver should be entered on a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg • Only use references clear of populated areas, obstructions, and anything that could pose a hazard • The reference should allow for a nearby landing area in case of an emergency during the maneuver • Common Error - Selection of a ground reference without a suitable emergency landing area within gliding distance • Always be prepared for any type of emergency • When preparing for the maneuver, select a reference field an emergency landing area

Flying the Rectangular Course • The rectangular course is designed to replicate a traffic pattern • The aircraft should be flown parallel to, and at a uniform distance, about ½ to ¾ mile, from the boundaries • • The references should be easily observable from both seats • Do not fly directly above the boundaries since this will not provide useable reference points for turning Not too close to the boundaries to avoid very steep bank angles • All turns should be started and completed at the field boundaries (see maneuver picture) • The closer the aircraft is to the boundaries, the steeper the bank necessary at the turning points • Per the Airplane Flying Handbook, bank should be limited to 45 degrees maximum during any ground reference maneuvers • May be more practical to practice at the traffic pattern limit of 30 degrees of bank to establish good habits

Flying the Rectangular Course Wind Correction • To maintain a course parallel/of equal distance to the boundaries wind must be accounted for throughout the maneuver • Whenever there is any crosswind, the airplane will have to be crabbed into the wind • • Use coordinate flight controls to point the aircraft into the wind Note the aircraft’s position in relation to the reference field, and adjust the crab as necessary to maintain that distance • Roll Rate • The rate of rolling in and out of the turn will need to be adjusted to prevent drifting in or out of the course • When the wind is from a direction that could drift the airplane into the course, the banking roll rate should be slow • When the wind is from a direction that could drift the airplane to the outside of the course, the banking roll rate should be high

Flying the Rectangular Course Bank Angle • The amount of bank used in each turn will vary depending on groundspeed • The faster the groundspeed (tailwind), the steeper the bank required to maintain the desired ground track • The slower the groundspeed (headwind), the shallower the bank required to maintain the desired ground track • As groundspeed changes during a turn, bank angle will have to change with it • • If the groundspeed is initially higher and then decreases through the turn, the bank angle should progressively decrease throughout the turn If the groundspeed is initially slower and then increases through the turn, the bank angle should progressively increase through the turn, until rollout is started • During turns, to maintain altitude, back pressure will need to be increased • Use visual references and the instrument indications to maintain course and altitude

Flying the Rectangular Course Common Error - Improper correction for wind drift • Stay ahead of the aircraft and know what is coming next • Are we transitioning from high to low speed; straight flight to a crosswind; etc. • Anticipate and adjust • If the aircraft isn’t doing what you want, make a change • Understand the effects of wind on ground track, and groundspeed • Maintain coordination. Do not use rudder, to help the aircraft around the corner or to crab

• Airspeed • Maintained by increasing or decreasing power as necessary • The PTS requires the pilot to maintain airspeed ± 10 knots • Coordination Flying the Rectangular Course • The airplane must remain in coordinated flight at all times • Don’t use the rudder to correct for wind drift, turn the plane with coordinated controls • Don’t use the rudder to encourage a turn, this could result in a dangerous crossed-control situation • Common Error - Uncoordinated flight control application • Often occurs when the pilot attempts to use rudder to correct for mistakes in wind correction • For example, using rudder to compensate for wind, or to adjust the turn radius (can lead to cross-controlled situation) • Stay coordinated

Flying the Rectangular Course • Common Error - Failure to maintain selected altitude or airspeed • • • The ACS requires ± 100’ and ± 10 knots Divide attention between the visual references, and the instruments • Be proactive in correcting airspeed and altitude Not exceeding 45 degrees of bank should help maintain airspeed • The maneuver requires you to divide attention between the leg distance, turns, altitude, and airspeed • • Plan ahead and do not focus on one part of the maneuver (e. g. watching the ground) Common Error - Poor planning, orientation, or division of attention • This leads to poorly executed turns and wind correction. The aircraft does not maintain the desired course and constant corrections are required to maintain track. • Plan ahead, know what’s coming next. Stay ahead of the aircraft! • In time this will become second nature

Rectangular Course and the Senses Visually Hearing Feel • Visual references to maintain straight and level • Keep the rectangular course in sight • Maintain proper distances with crab angle • If performing the manuever at reduced speed, the engine and wind noise will be quieter • Control pressures should remain responsive • If controls begin to feel mushy, you may be inadvertently flying in slow flight • Maintaining constant airspeed will maintain consistent control feel • Medium bank turns should not produce high G-loads

Performing The Rectangular Course Objective: The student should develop knowledge of the elements related to the rectangular course and the elements involved in maintaining a proper ground track. The student will have the ability to perform the maneuver as required in the ACS/PTS Purpose: This maneuver simulates the conditions encountered in a traffic pattern and therefore prepares the student for traffic pattern work Private Pilot ACS Skills Standard s 1. Clear the area. 2. Select a suitable ground reference area, line, or point as appropriate. 3. Plan the maneuver: • Rectangular course: enter a left or right pattern, 600 to 1, 000 feet above ground level (AGL) at an appropriate distance from the selected reference area, 45° to the downwind leg 4. Apply adequate wind drift correction during straight and turning flight to maintain a constant ground track around a rectangular reference area, or to maintain a constant radius turn on each side of a selected reference line or point. 5. Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight. 6. Maintain altitude ± 100 feet; maintain airspeed ± 10 knots. Commercial Pilot ACS Skills Standards N/A

Performing the Rectangular Course Overview Prior to Entry • Pre-Maneuver Checklist - Lights ON; Fuel Pump ON; Mixture FULL RICH; Gauges GREEN • Clearing Turns • Airspeed - 95 knots and trimmed for hands off, level flight • This maneuver may also be performed at traffic pattern speeds, approx. 1. 5 X VSo • Orientation - Orient yourself in relation to the wind, plan to enter on a 45 o entry to the downwind

Performing the Rectangular Pattern The Maneuver • Entry is made on a 45 degree to the downwind (like a traffic pattern) • Upon reaching ½ to ¾ miles from the field, turn to a downwind heading, parallel to the field • Downwind Leg • Since the airplane has a direct tailwind, no wind correction is needed • If the wind isn’t a perfect tailwind, point the airplane into the wind as necessary to maintain the ground track • Anticipate and visualize the turn to the base leg • The turn: • • • High roll rate Steepest bank transitions to medium bank Greater than 90 degree turn • Roll Rate • A high roll rate is required to prevent the tailwind from pushing the aircraft away from the track

The Maneuver Bank • Remember, as groundspeed changes during a turn, bank has to change with it to maintain the track Performing the Rectangular Course • At the beginning of the turn, the airplane has the strongest tailwind and therefore the highest groundspeed. Bank will be the steepest • As the turn progresses, the tailwind transitions to a crosswind. Groundspeed is decreasing, therefore bank will decrease as the airplane makes its way around the turn • Roll Out/Amount of Turn • On the base leg, the crosswind will tend to push the aircraft away from the field • To compensate for the drift, the turn to the base leg will have to be more than 90 degree, and a crab will have to be established into the wind • When rolling out onto this leg, the airplane will be turned slightly toward the field/into the wind • The amount of crab will vary based on the strength of the wind • Adjust the crab based on movement toward or away from the field

Performing the Rectangular Pattern Base Leg • Divide attention between outside and inside references to maintain distance from the reference and aircraft altitude • The base leg is continued with the aircraft turned toward the field/into the wind until the upwind leg boundary is being approached • Anticipate and visualize the turn to the upwind leg • The turn: • High roll rate • Medium bank transitions to shallow bank • Less than 90 degree Turn • Roll Rate • Since the wind is from a direction that will drift the aircraft toward the outside of the course, the roll rate should be high • Bank • Remember, as groundspeed changes during a turn, bank will have to change with it to maintain the track • • At the beginning of the turn, the airplane is experiencing a crosswind (no headwind or tailwind) and therefore an average groundspeed. Begin the turn with a medium bank angle As the turn progresses, the crosswind transitions into a headwind. Groundspeed is decreasing; therefore bank will decrease as the airplane makes its way around the turn • Roll Out/Amount of Turn • On the upwind leg, the headwind will not affect the aircraft’s drift in relation to the desired track. Roll out to parallel the upwind leg reference • Because the aircraft was pointed toward the field when the turn was started, less than 90 degree of turn is required to rollout on the upwind leg • If the wind is not a perfect headwind, adjust the crab as necessary to maintain course

Upwind Leg • On the upwind leg, no wind correction is needed as the plane is headed directly into the wind • Adjust as necessary if the wind isn’t a perfect headwind • Use visual references to maintain altitude and heading, cross check with the instruments • Anticipate and visualize the turn to the crosswind leg Performing the Rectangular Course • The Turn: • • • Low roll rate Shallow bank transitions to medium bank. Less than 90 degree Turn • Roll Rate • Because the wind is from a direction that will drift the aircraft into the course, a low roll rate should be used to enter the turn • Bank • • At the beginning of the turn, the airplane is experiencing a headwind and therefore the slowest groundspeed. Begin the turn with a shallow bank angle As the turn progresses, the headwind transitions into a crosswind. Groundspeed is increasing, therefore bank will increase as the airplane makes its way around the turn • Roll Out/Amount of Turn • On the crosswind leg, the crosswind will tend to push the aircraft toward the field • To compensate for the drift, the turn to the base leg will have to be less than 90 o, and a crab will have to be established into the wind • When rolling out onto this leg, the airplane will be turned slightly away from the field/into the wind • The amount of crab will vary based on the strength of the wind • Adjust the crab based on movement toward or away from the field

Performing the Rectangular Course Crosswind Leg While on the crosswind leg, the wind correction angle should be adjusted to keep proper distance Anticipate and visualize the turn back to the downwind leg • The turn: • • • Low roll rate Medium bank transitions to steepest bank More than 90 degree turn • Roll Rate • Because the wind is from a direction that will cause the aircraft to drift into the course, a low rate of roll should be used • Bank • • At the beginning of the turn, the airplane is experiencing a crosswind and therefore an average groundspeed. Begin the turn with a medium bank angle As the turn progresses, the crosswind transitions into a tailwind. Groundspeed is increasing; therefore bank will increase as the airplane makes its way around the turn • Roll Out/Amount of Turn • On the downwind leg, the aircraft will have a tailwind and should not require drift correction • The aircraft will be turned to rollout parallel to the reference line • Because the aircraft was pointed away from the field when the turn was started, the turn will have to be greater than 90 degree to roll out parallel to the reference line

Exit on the downwind leg Anomalies Performing the Rectangular Course • In a perfect scenario, drift is not encountered on the upwind/downwind legs • • It may be difficult to find a situation where the wind is blowing exactly parallel to the boundaries Therefore, slight wind correction may be necessary on all the legs Common Errors: • Poor planning, orientation, or division of attention • Uncoordinated use of flight controls • Improper correction for wind drift • Failure to maintain selected altitude or airspeed • Selection of a ground reference where there is no suitable emergency landing area within gliding distance

Rectangular Course: Conclusion It is important to anticipate turns to correct for ground speed, drift, and turning radius. When wind is with the plane, turns must be steeper; when it’s against, turns must be slow/shallow. The same techniques apply in traffic patterns.