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You are conducting sUAS operations northeast of a nearby airport. While monitoring the CTAF, an aircraft announces that it is departing runway 36 utilizing a right traffic pattern. Will the aircraft potentially conflict with your operation?

1) No, the aircraft will be flying on the west side of the airport
2) No, the aircraft will be flying to the south of the airport
3) Yes, the aircraft may overfly northeast of the airport

User Omarojo
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Yes, if an aircraft is utilizing a right traffic pattern while departing from runway 36, it may potentially overfly the northeast area of the airport, which can lead to conflict with sUAS operations located there.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is concerned with small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operations near an airport and potential conflicts with manned aircraft using the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). If an aircraft announces it is departing runway 36 and utilizing a right traffic pattern, this means the aircraft will be making turns to the right after takeoff. Since Runway 36 is aligned along the 360-degree line (North), a right traffic pattern indicates the aircraft will turn east initially, then south, then west, and back to north, making a rectangular pattern. Consequently, if you are operating sUAS to the northeast of the airport, the aircraft may potentially overfly the northeast area of the airport, thus creating a potential conflict with your operation.

Why is it preferable for airplanes to take off into the wind? Airplanes take off into the wind because it helps produce more lift under the wings. When an aircraft faces into the wind, the relative airspeed increases, providing additional lift which allows the airplane to take off in a shorter distance compared to taking off with the wind.

User Gabriel Hautclocq
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