REFLECTOR: Overhead approaches

[Mark Magee]

Hi Geoff,
This is the way I learned from day one in the NAV, it is a much safer way
setting up a landing. I have never understood the standard GA pattern for
as you say, a power loss in the pattern doesn't guarantee you get to the
numbers. If you study the Navy overhead approach or midfield approach, and
tailor them to your aircraft it is frankly the safest way to get on the
ground. You carry the most speed approaching the airfield, and done
correctly requires no power (power at flight idle) after the break. I
always used the overhead approach or midfield break at SDM in my Long EZ,
adjusting for a high situation with a slip. Very effective and quite fun.
The great thing is that GA towers are forced to be familiar with Overhead
and midfield approaches for the occasional transient military aircraft, and
as well in CA the firefighting aircraft always used an overhead approach:
they needed to get down, fueled and re-watered ASAP.
IMHO the overhead approach and midfield break should be std procedure in
GA. If you do 4 of these approaches with an instructor you would feel very
comfortable doing them. The angle of bank and mild G-Forces are acute for
those not used to them in the pattern, but quickly learned.

Mark Magee
N34XL

On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 8:36 PM, Geoff Gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com>wrote:

> Guys,
>
> I'm sure you guys have seen this video of a Cirrus doing an overhead
> approach.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFdH4zvO9Oo
>
> Looks like a cool way to get into the pattern.  I can't tell you what a
> smile it puts on my face descend in at 160kts then pull up and drop speed
> to enter the pattern after so many years of crawling into the airport
> airspace in C172/PA28's.  I'd love to be able to do an overhead approach.
>  What got me thinking about them was this weekend, there was a warbird show
> on at our airport (KORH) and as I was approaching the airport, I heard one
> of them call the tower for a overhead approach and listened to him call his
> initial, break point then cleared to land - very cool.  Also, I like the
> idea of coming into the airport with all possible kinetic and potential
> energy at your disposal in case an engine issue.  Long, slow, level entries
> into airport airspace always make me nervous.
>
> A couple questions for those more seasoned pilots on overhead approaches:
> 1) Is it considered douchey to do an OHA at a non-towered airport
> (assuming you properly announce)?
> 2) Can you only approach the airport on the runway heading, or can you
> come in from any angle, break and establish a high-bank turn until your
> able to enter the downwind?
> 3) Do any of you regularly use OHA's?
> 4) Do you usually come in at pattern altitude +500'?
>
> Geoff
>
>
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