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It is very important to note 14 CFR part 91 requires powered parachutes to avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft. Additional information on airport operations can be found in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. 

## Airport Traffic Patterns and Operations 

Every flight begins and ends at an airport; an airport, as defined by the Federal Aviation Regulations, is an area of land or water that is used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. For this reason, it is essential you learn the traffic rules, pro- cedures, and patterns that may be in use at various airports. 

Most aviation accidents occur within a few miles of the airport. This is where congestion is the heaviest and the pilot is the busiest. 

“ See and avoid” is critical for safe operations. Ad- visories on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) are essential at nontower-controlled airports and flying fields to advise other aircraft of your posi- tion and intentions. 

To enhance safety around airports, specific traffic pat- terns and traffic control procedures have been estab- lished at airports. The traffic patterns provide specific routes for takeoffs, departures, arrivals, and landings. The exact nature of each airport traffic pattern is de- pendent on the runway in use, wind conditions, ob - structions, and other factors. 

Different traffic patterns at the same airport may be established for heavy aircraft, general aviation aircraft, gliders and light-sport aircraft (LSA) operations. The largest factor in determining the proper traffic pattern is airspeed. Slow aircraft do not mix well with fast air- craft. The powered parachute is at the slow end of the speed range of aircraft found around most airports. Regardless of the traffic pattern flown, you must be 

aware of your position relative to other aircraft in the traffic pattern and avoid the flow of fixed-wing air- craft. Helicopters fall under this same rule. This rule frequently affects the choice for a landing site. Refer to Chapter 5 for more information on selecting a land- ing site and airport operation information. 

With that in mind, you must understand the standard airport traffic pattern in use at the airport you are oper- ating at and the traffic pattern you are flying to main- tain separation from other aircraft traffic. 

Powered parachutes operate best from a grass surface, due to less wear and tear on the canopy. However, off-runway operation may disrupt normal airport op- erations and may not be safe for the PPC due to poor surface conditions. If an off-runway area is used for PPC operations, examine the area for surface condi- tion, holes, standing water, rocks, vegetation height, moguls, fences, wires and other hazards. 

A traffic pattern may be established for an off-runway operating area. The traffic pattern may not, and prob- ably will not, conform to the airplane traffic pattern. It is still your responsibility to avoid the flow of airplane traffic. 

If you elect to use the airport runway, take into con- sideration any crosswind that may be present. The air- port runway may not be aligned close enough into the wind for your flying skills or may exceed the canopy limitations. 

The established powered parachute traffic pattern for an airport might be similar to the standard traffic pat- tern or it might use turns in the opposite direction. [Figure 10-1] In both cases, use a standard rectangular pattern with a pattern altitude one-half the airplane traffic pattern altitude or as published (if published). An airport may also use a smaller pattern, referred to as a “ tight pattern” or “inside pattern,” and it might be in the same direction as the other traffic or opposite. This smaller pattern combined with a pattern altitude of one-half the airport traffic pattern helps ensure sep- 

