Is pattern altitude mandatory?
Is pattern altitude mandatory? Traffic pattern altitudes should be maintained unless otherwise required by the applicable distance from cloud criteria (14 CFR Section 91.155).
Do you use Ctaf or Unicom when tower is closed?
The CTAF is clearly labeled on aeronautical charts for every airport. It's shown with a C in a solid circle appearing after the CT (Control Tower), UNICOM, or MULTICOM frequency. At towered airports, the CTAF will be listed because it is used after a part-time tower closes for the night.
Why do airports change flight patterns?
Varying weather and operational conditions influence the flight patterns of aircraft near airports. Wind has the greatest impact on flight paths as aircraft need to land and take-off into the wind. As the wind changes, the flight paths change accordingly.
Can you fly without talking to ATC?
As a blanket statement, no, it is not illegal to fly without ATC contact. More precisely, it is completely legal to fly without radio contact except in certain designated airspace or while flying under instrument flight rules (IFR).
What is the minimum clearance altitude for VFR?
An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.