REFLECTOR: Overhead approaches

[nmflyer1 at aol.com]

I agree with Mark Completely. It was well used when I was in the Navy, very effective for the pilots as well as controllers in terms of sequencing. 


Many here at my airport use it, and it works well.  Just remember, since the overhead is not already established in the pattern, you have to time your turn so as not to disturb traffic already established in the pattern. easy enough since the extra speed and visibility of pattern traffic is great. 


Kurt 



-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Magee <edjonesbrady at gmail.com>
To: geoff.gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com>; Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Mon, Sep 17, 2012 8:07 pm
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Overhead approaches


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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