Do you make radio calls even if you are the only one in the traffic pattern?
 

This is a simple question. Please answer yes or no. This question is for non-tower airport. I will discuss the reasoning for the question on Monday afternoon.

How do you know that someone else isn't heading towards the pattern?

Dave

Yes, but the answer must be at least 10 characters or it won't post.

Yes, because I might not being seeing someone else that also thinks they are the only one in the pattern (so they aren't talking).

Yes, because I'm never 100% sure I'm alone in the pattern.

Yes, because that's the way it's done.

Yes, but...
 

depending on circumstances, maybe not every leg (downwind, base, final). I ALWAYS call downwind. If there is no one around, and no one has called since I called downwind, I probably will not call base, or will say 'base turning to final'. I always say 'departing runway xx, closed traffic' or as appropriate.

At some point, someone is going to show up to share the airport. Should not be any surprises. If you don't announce which runway you are using, you can't expect anyone else to decide to use the same direction, so you gotta communicate.

Yes..and here is why
 

The AIM, Section 4-1-9, recommended communications procedures for inbound traffic at non-towered airports, states that a call should be made 10 miles out, as well as entering downwind, base, final, and leaving the runway...and yes, I know it is only "recommended"....however, the AIM is there for a reason, and I do not believe it is a good idea to disregard any of the recommendations...you may develop a bad habit..and bad habits sometime lead to bad events...

Always do it the same way....setting a good example is good for the spirit.

Sorry this was not a one-word answer..but if it was, the answer is Yes.

Of course.

I can never be sure I am alone in the circuit, and theres many airports without an ATC service that receive RPT traffic, so just because I am alone this lap doesn't mean I am not going to have a Dash-8 lining up for a 10 mile final on the opposite runway (because I'm not talking, it only has a 5-knot downwind component and it is a much shorter taxi to the terminal) the next time around the pattern.

There are many recommendations that can be "safely" ignored. This isn't one of them.

Absolutely yes. Always.