Leaving the circuit

[Daniel Scott]

What is the best way to leave a busy circuit if take off direction and depature are opposite? The aircraft is slow (ground speed in the climb is below 50K ), if I climb ahead to 2000'+ and then turn back time and fuel have been used and I would have to go through traffic joining o/h. Turning down wind and climbing puts you with other always faster traffic. Going through the deadside would have you turning against the traffic and climbing through peoples aerobatic descents! Climbing to 2000'+ and going wider is probably the answer but uses much needed fuel and soon becomes a cross country of its own !
So, what is the best way to get out of Dodge and not get in the way?

[johnmichie]

aircraft in the circuit and aircraft being overtaken have right of way, it is the responsibility of those joining and/or overtaking to avoid them by following the rules of the air.

I would stay in the circuit and leave on whichever leg is nearest your departure heading, in this case downwind. Stay at circuit height until well clear to avoid aircraft descending to the overhead.

At some airfields with mixed traffic the microlights (which sounds like you!) fly tighter and lower circuits. Talk to the airfield.

HTH

John

[Daniel Scott]

I'm flying a J3, even the microlights are faster. Its only an issue when visiting, the traffic often seems to be using a massive circuit from my perspective. Thanks for the reply. Daniel Scott

[tnowak]

Popham has two circuits; one for microlights (a closer and lower circuit) and the normal one for everything else. Works well here and allows the faster traffic to flow outside the slower stuff. As the previous poster said, keep a tight circuit and perhaps announce your intentions on the radio for situational awareness.
Tony Nowak

[Harry Hopkins]

I'd suggest the safest way is to fly as if to remain in the circuit and then depart from the downwind leg. This should avoid any conflict with other traffic.

Best wishes,

Harry