Poll: Overhead Breaks - good or bad

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Skybond

In my opinion OB it's very safe if it is properly executed. It's hard to believe that some RV guys are opposed to it, i would expect that from some spam-can flyer but i guess some never change . It is the best and most efficient way to bring a flight in to an airport.

Sure...............if EVERYONE is on the same page........which isn't going to happen anytime soon.

In a minute here...........I'm going to start voting for Dr. Bruce Chein, when I see comments such as above...

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[David Paule]

The overhead break isn't taught to students, as far as I know. And I'd bet that most pilots wouldn't know what it was. So the burden of proper safety and separation is even higher for the pilot doing the maneuver.

Seems to me that if you called "Over the numbers at [altitude] breaking to close-in downwind," you'd be presenting a clearer picture to another pilot in the pattern than merely stating, "In the break."

Also, while flying from initial to the break you ought to have your head on a swivel and out of the cockpit. And give way to other traffic, too.

Dave
P.S. Gripe: unrelated to the overhead break - if you're about to transmit, keep your speech at a reasonable pace. Around here some pilots talk very compressed and rapidly; I cain't hardly figger 'em out.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by rvatornate

??? The same way I do when I come in on the 45.

At our airport, it's very common for traffic to visually disappear against the housing below. I think NORDO's time is past.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by David Paule

...
P.S. Gripe: unrelated to the overhead break - if you're about to transmit, keep your speech at a reasonable pace. Around here some pilots talk very compressed and rapidly; I cain't hardly figger 'em out.

As opposed to TX, where you have to hang around to wait for them to finish....

[apkp777]

Originally Posted by Capflyer

Is there mention in the AIM or FARs about doing low approaches on a practice instrument approach? ...

Yes, A.I.M. 4-3-12.

[Ron Lee]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

I think NORDO's time is past.

I agree. No excuse for not having a handheld radio connected to a headset.

[N53LW]

Originally Posted by Mel

How do you communicate with the unseen NORDO traffic?

That's the best part of the OH extra eyes in the pattern, NORDO will be seen by someone in the pattern (hopefully lead) and a "Knock it Off" call will be made. We have actually had this happen.

[fehdxl]

How is an overhead any different than an upwind, cross-wind, down-wind, base and final...other than each of the legs are very short?

Rhetorical questions:
If on a 45 and the pattern is full, what do you do? Break out and try again? Fly wide? Join up and land in his/her wing? Okay, kidding on that one.

If on an upwind and the pattern is full, what do you do? Turn cross-wind (i.e. break) over the numbers, mid-field, departure end, 1 mile past, 2 miles past...you get the point.

My take; you have options when entering the pattern for an overhead via the upwind that you don't have when entering on the 45 to downwind.

-Jim

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by N53LW

That's the best part of the OH extra eyes in the pattern, NORDO will be seen by someone in the pattern (hopefully lead) and a "Knock it Off" call will be made. We have actually had this happen.

Except I'll be looking for the OH traffic, and hit the NORDO...

[MWSMITH2]

The poll needs to define what you mean by good and bad. It is used in VMC conditions in the military by large groups of small fighters to get many airplanes on the ground quickly, usually because all are approaching or at minimum fuel. So it is GOOD from that point of view. If properly executed, it is very efficient. If there are a lot of unknowledgeable flyers in your area, help educate them on OBs and patterns--it helps OBs go more "smoothly". It is up to the flight lead to choose when and how to enter the traffic pattern with a flight and what type pattern to fly depending on traffic conflicts. I've been doing OBs and patterns for fifty years with few problems. They are only BAD when the flight lead cuts someone off that is already in the pattern.