BeechTalk - BT - PC-12 Average Abeam Distance in the Pattern

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 17:00

PC-12 Drivers,
What is your average distance from the runway centerline when on downwind?
Thanks!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 18:00

My plane's home base (DMW) is a major maintenance shop for PC-12's and there are quite a few flights in and out during the course of a week. I used FlightAware and sorted on aircraft type, then looked at the PC-12's patterns. Naturally, there are a number that don't fly a full pattern, but for those that do, this image below was typical. Note the scale in the lower left.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 18:29

Username Protected wrote:

My plane's home base (DMW) is a major maintenance shop for PC-12's and there are quite a few flights in and out during the course of a week. I used FlightAware and sorted on aircraft type, then looked at the PC-12's patterns. Naturally, there are a number that don't fly a full pattern, but for those that do, this image below was typical. Note the scale in the lower left.

Good God, that's enormous. :lol:

Thanks!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 19:30

Almost as big as a 172 training pattern. 1+ mi

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 19:38

Username Protected wrote:

Almost as big as a 172 training pattern. 1+ mi

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 19:54

Matt,
TBM was wing tip on RWY for us. I believe that was ~one mile from RWY at 1000’ above TDZE. Wider than any other plane I’ve flown. Made a very repeatable procedure every time.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Jul 2022, 20:02

Username Protected wrote:

Good God, that's enormous. :lol:

Thanks!

TWSS

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Jul 2022, 11:10

Username Protected wrote:

Matt,
TBM was wing tip on RWY for us. I believe that was ~one mile from RWY at 1000’ above TDZE. Wider than any other plane I’ve flown. Made a very repeatable procedure every time.

I'm usually about 1.5nm in the TBM, but at 1500' above TDZE.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jul 2022, 16:41

I'm curious why such a large pattern. As a single engine, shouldn't 1.3 Vso be similar to the Bonanza and other high performance singles?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Jul 2022, 22:24

Username Protected wrote:

I'm curious why such a large pattern. As a single engine, shouldn't 1.3 Vso be similar to the Bonanza and other high performance singles?

Depends, one mile patterns keep the bank angles reasonable and passengers happy.I did not use a one mile pattern in the TBM or the PC12. But close in the Pilatus felt heavy and you had to be on speed to get the turns to work out. Pattern speeds for both were 110kts minimum as that was the book best glide. I was usually faster, why because I could. Both slowed down very well.

If you have experienced torque roll in a Turbo Prop it will definitely drive you to wider, faster patterns. Both aircraft are not similar to other high performance GA piston singles unless there is one with 700+ hp around that I am not aware of.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2022, 00:15

Thanks. That was interesting.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2022, 08:21

Username Protected wrote:

Almost as big as a 172 training pattern. 1+ mi

Obligatory.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/f6q2VKsvQEQ[/youtube]

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2022, 13:51

I like Paul

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2022, 13:59

I don’t recall them being that ponderous and suggest you can keep a relatively tight pattern using a race track turn from downwind to final. One of the nicest practical transport types out there.