EP116 - Got Lazy, Not Rusty: Navigating Pattern Entries

Midlife Pilot Podcast

Ben shares his unconventional left base entry at Daniel Field, admitting "Rusty is not the right word. Lazy, I think is the right word." This sparks a spirited debate as Brian responds " I'm coming in hot in the other direction here!" Meanwhile, Ted confesses "I just forget how to land" and explains why being "the only VFR pilot out" is "usually not a good sign."

The crew discusses proper pattern procedures versus local customs, with Ben defending his approach because "it didn't feel right to me" while Brian insists on "flying the prescribed entries for patterns, period, end of story." Plus, Ted explains his infamous "icing on the vegetables" analogy!

Mentioned on the show:

* Rod Machado - Why Maneuvering Speed Changes With Weight:https://youtu.be/BAy4w3SYCTo?si=74vAku1_jSPM9Ib9

* Rod Machado- How Is Maneuvering Speed Determined? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_KdHEzIJkk

* Brian's new video- Dead Pilots = More Views: Aviation YouTube's Race to the Bottom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed-hjosBQhQ

* Ted's new video- day at the museum: flying into and out of boeing field: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt9PPalGIyI

* Ted's new video- mercurial conditions, mistakes, odd comms: pattern work at UAO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueu9yVHA7QY

* SureFly Magneto: https://www.surefly.net/

* EP44- Happy Hour! Guest Brian Turner (episode with "icing on the vegetables"): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP44---Happy-Hour--Guest-Bryan-Turner-aka-Just-Plane-Silly-e2ae412

* EP116- The art of tailwheel flying with CFI Ben Lehman (aka "140 Ben"): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP70---The-art-of-tailwheel-flying-with-CFI-Ben-Lehman-e2i7k72/a-ab5fk1c

* DNL- Augusta, Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/DNL

* BIG TEXAS SEND shirt: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/merch/p/official-big-texas-send-2025-fly-in-shirt

* Jason Miller - The Finer Points - NO TEARDROP IN NON TOWERED PATTERN ENTRIES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi9jdxzLur4

* AC 90-66C - Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations PDF: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-66C.pdf

* Visual Approach procedures in ForeFlight: https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057742073-How-is-the-Procedure-Advisor-used#h_01J9W8HH0RR7QZX8B7WVGXPBFQ