When Is It OK to Perform Unexpected Maneuvers in the Pattern?

S-turns and 360-degree turns are methods of creating space between aircraft. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Question: I am a post-solo student pilot and when I was flying in the pattern at a towered airport, the controller told me to do S-turns on downwind for spacing. I had never done them before and told the controller that I didn't know how to do them. The controller got a little upset with me, which confused me. I thought you weren't supposed to do unexpected maneuvers in the pattern?

Answer: In the scenario you described and since ATC asked you to do the maneuver in the pattern, it's not unexpected.

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S-turns and 360-degree turns are methods of creating space between aircraft. This keeps you from overtaking another, most likely slower, aircraft. It's similar to the way bands march in place for a few minutes during parades to create more space between them and the parade floats, horses, or other bands ahead of them. At a towered airport, if the controller tells you to do this, they are trying to create space between you and the aircraft you are following.

While in the pattern, listen carefully for what kind of aircraft you are sharing space with. If you are flying a Cessna 182 or a twin and there is a slower aircraft like a Cessna Skycatcher or Piper Cub ahead of you, you're probably going to need to slow down.

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At all times it is up to the pilot in command (PIC) to determine if it is safe to do these maneuvers If ATC asks you to do a 360-degree turn and there is an aircraft in the way, don't do it and advise "unable." At a nontowered airport, 360-degree turns in the pattern are a little dicey. A better option is to depart the pattern and reenter on the 45.

360-degree turn ask flying ATC S-turn

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.