At Spencer, the crosswind turn may be initiated at what altitude and position relative to the runway?

At Spencer, the crosswind turn may be initiated at what altitude and position relative to the runway?

• A. 200' AGL and abeam the upwind end of the runway
• B. 100' AGL and abeam the threshold
• C. 300' AGL and abeam the downwind end
• D. 50' AGL

Answer: (A)

The key idea is timing the transition from the upwind leg into the crosswind leg at a safe, predictable point and height so you can manage the wind and align with the pattern smoothly. Initiating the crosswind turn at 200 feet AGL when you are abeam the upwind end of the runway gives enough altitude to roll into the turn, control drift, and set up for the next legs while keeping the runway in sight. If you start higher, like 300 feet, you’d be higher than ideal for clean spacing and descent into the pattern; if you start much lower, around 100 or 50 feet, you’d have less margin to recover from wind effects during the turn. Abreast of the upwind end provides a consistent reference point along the runway so you can time the turn with predictable pattern positioning.

The key idea is timing the transition from the upwind leg into the crosswind leg at a safe, predictable point and height so you can manage the wind and align with the pattern smoothly. Initiating the crosswind turn at 200 feet AGL when you are abeam the upwind end of the runway gives enough altitude to roll into the turn, control drift, and set up for the next legs while keeping the runway in sight. If you start higher, like 300 feet, you’d be higher than ideal for clean spacing and descent into the pattern; if you start much lower, around 100 or 50 feet, you’d have less margin to recover from wind effects during the turn. Abreast of the upwind end provides a consistent reference point along the runway so you can time the turn with predictable pattern positioning.