Flexible Entry

So how does a glider pilot enter the downwind leg after safely arriving back at field? Earlier it was stated that arrival height is 1000 ft above the airport and with conservative planning usually more than that. The IP altitude starting the downwind leg is 800 ft. AGL. At some time between the arrival height and the IP the pilot must commit to landing and accomplish the before landing checklist.

The standard 45° entry leg depicted in textbooks for airplanes and gliders is a good starting point. Here the pilot approaches the IP at a 45° angle using dive brakes as necessary to cross the IP at 800 ft. and continues on downwind leg. (Insert diagram here.)

At Harris Hill you will see pilots varying the entry leg by extending it out and “looping” onto a downwind leg or doing a 360° turn or two before entering the downwind. This is common as a commercial pilot tries to get the passenger another couple of minutes for their ride while protecting the ability to complete a full downwind leg. Similarly, a club member who has arrived back over the field at 1200 ft. AGL may spending some time searching for another thermal in this area while staying close to the downwind leg. This is all acceptable. The rule being: fly your glider, do your checklist, enter the downwind at 800 ft. AGL and don’t be overly distracted by other traffic.

So that is what pilots arriving home too high can be expected to do. What about when a pilot looks ahead and sees they will not be at the established 800 ft. AGL at the IP? It happens and it is better to take decisive action right away. We have established certain benchmark altitudes for a good pattern. They are not equally weighted. A good 200 ft final is the most important. Being 500 ft. AGL opposite downtown is the next most important check. 800 ft at the IP is good and makes for a full pattern. If trending low, it would be foolish for a pilot to try to complete the full pattern ground track. Instead, abbreviate the downwind leg as necessary to be opposite the touchdown point at 500 ft. and carry on as normal. A low pilot should not feel obliged to follow the higher or higher performance glider ahead.

Too low modifications can be accomplished by something like a 45° or 90° leg to a midfield downwind. A midfield crosswind leg is another modification. If a pilot is really caught out of position, a pattern from what is normally the tow plane side of the field is a good option and should not be discouraged.

Major modifications will be debriefed by a CFI. “I’m glad to see you modified your traffic pattern and you made a nice landing. But how did you come to arrive back at the field so low you could not do a more standard pattern?”

Lastly, if two pilots arrive back at the field at the same height, one glider should a take decisive action to be the one who is going to land first. When accomplishing a 1000 ft pattern tow don’t release if there is a glider at your exact altitude. Stay on for another 200 ft to deconflict.

The pattern entry leg is the connection from arrival height to the downwind leg. Flexible thinking and awareness will put the glider in position for a successful pattern.