Student:_____________________
Date Completed:________________
Private Pilot Flight Training
Rectangular Courses
Objective:
To develop division of attention between flight and ground paths while controlling the aircraft and scanning
for traffic; develop recognition of drift; and continue to develop smoothness, coordination, and orientation.
Elements:
1. How to select a suitable altitude. (1000’ AGL)
2. How to select a suitable ground reference with suitable emergency landing areas.
3. Orientation, division of attention, and planning.
4. Configuration and airspeed prior to entry.
5. Relationship of a rectangular course to an airport traffic pattern.
6. Wind drift correction.
7. How to maintain desired altitude, airspeed, and distance from ground reference boundaries.
8. Timing of turn entries and rollouts.
9. Coordination of flight controls.
Schedule:
Preflight Discussion
0:15
Demonstration and Student Practice
0:30
Postflight Discussion
0:15
All Times Dependent on Pilot's Ability
Equipment:
Aircraft
Drawing Surface and Marking Utensil
Instructor's Actions:
Student's Actions:
PREFLIGHT:
PREFLIGHT:
 Discuss lesson objective.
 Discuss lesson objective
 Listens and takes notes.
 Discuss common student errors in performing the
maneuver.
 Resolves Questions.
INFLIGHT:
 Discuss the FAA's emphasis on safety including collision
 Reviews maneuvers.
avoidance and division of attention.
INFLIGHT:
 Pays attention and asks questions.
 Demonstrate the maneuver.
 Practices maneuver as directed.
 Coach student practice.
 Answers questions posed by instructor.
 Evaluate student understanding of maneuver.
POSTFLIGHT:
POSTFLIGHT:
 Ask pertinent questions.
 Critique student performance.
 Answers questions posed by instructor.
 Answer student questions.
 Critiques own performance.
 Assign homework for next lesson.
 Completes assigned homework.
Private Pilot Flight Training
Completion Standards: FAA-S-8081-14AS (Private PTS, VI., A., 1-6)
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to a rectangular course.
2. Selects a suitable reference area.
3. Plans the maneuver so as to enter a left or right pattern, 600 to 1,000 feet AGL at an appropriate
distance from the selected reference area, 45° to the downwind leg.
4. Applies adequate wind-drift correction during straight-and-turning flight to maintain a constant ground
track around the rectangular reference area.
5. Divides attention between airplane control and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
6. Maintains altitude, ±100 feet; maintains airspeed, ±10 knots.
Common Errors: FAA-H-8083-3A (Chapter 6-4)
1. Practical application of the turn.
2. The division of attention between the flight-path, ground objects, and the handling of the airplane.
3. The timing of the start of the turn so that the turn will be fully established at a definite point over the
ground.
4. The timing of the recovery from the turn so that a definite ground track will be maintained.
5. The establishing of a ground track and the determination of the appropriate “crab” angle.
References:
FAA-H-8083-3A (Chapter 6-4)
FAA-S-8081-14AS (Private PTS, VI., A., 1-6)
Things to Remember:
How this related to the traffic pattern, explain legs as they are flown.
Private Pilot Flight Training
Rectangular Course Technique:
DESCRIPTION:
1. Select an altitude of 1000’ AGL / or an appropriate traffic pattern altitude.
Note: altitudes as low as 600’ AGL may be used by the instructor for demonstration purposes.
2. Select a prominent rectangular field bounded by four section lines whose sides are approximately equal
to a typical traffic pattern. The major axis of the rectangle should be approximately parallel to wind
direction at flight altitude. The field should also be close to a suitable place to land in case of an
emergency.
 Perform Pre-maneuver Checklist.
 Clear the area.
3. Establish normal pattern airspeed ~90 knots (1700 RPM) and enter the maneuver at a 45 o to the
downwind, if possible. The first circuit should be to the left.
4. Establish the proper Wind Correction Angle (WCA) to maintain a uniform distance from the field
boundaries.
 Commence and complete turns abeam the field boundaries.
5. Vary the bank angle (not to exceed 45o) to maintain a constant radius during the turns.
 Reverse course, as directed.
Rectangular course