Aviation safety is a concern to us all. One of the best ways of insuring the optimum safety is for all of us to adhere to the standard traffic pattern procedure. Sound simple but we sometimes "bend" the rule that is designed to protect us. We all know that the most likely place for a midair collision is in the traffic pattern of a non-tower controlled airport on a VFR day, so please consider a brief review.

1. Report your inbound position 10 miles out, along with intentions, and report each turn in the pattern.

2. Always complete your descent to pattern altitude and slow to pattern speed before arriving at the 45 degree entry to downwind. Entry should be abeam the midpoint of the length of the runway.

3. The Spruce Creek pattern altitude for small aircraft is 800 MSL, close in (gliding distance to the runway) for all but large or high speed aircraft. Pattern altitude for large or high speed aircraft is 1000 feet MSL.

4. Once in the pattern, remain vigilant for other traffic and expect the unexpected.

5. Do not extend downwind beyond what is necessary to give a 1/4 mile final. Longer downwinds become equivalent to a straight in approach.

6. Before turning base to final always look to the right for possible aircraft on a straight in or long final approach.

7. Report when you turn off the runway.

8. Inbound IFR flights within the airport area should follow the same standards and recommendations that apply to VFR flights.

9. Prior to takeoff, announce your intentions on 122.975 MHz before beginning your entry onto the runway, then wait several seconds for a reply. Visually scan for inbound non-radio traffic before entering the runway. Once on the runway, do not delay the take-off roll.

10. Depart the airport by containing straight out or exit with a 45 degree turn to the left after reaching 500 feet and beyond the departure end of the runway.

11. Report leaving the area, include your position, altitude, and direction of flight.

12. Aircraft remaining in the pattern should continue outbound after takeoff until sufficient altitude is reached to enter downwind at 800 feet.

13. Keep your head on a swivel and stay alert to avoid trouble.