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Traffic and Wind Indicators
Under 14 CFR Part 139.323, Traffic and Wind direction indicators, certificate holders must provide a segmented circle around one wind cone and a landing strip and traffic pattern indicator for each runway with a right-hand traffic pattern when air carrier operations occur during a time when no control tower is operating.
Because questions have arisen over the need for the segmented circle, an opportunity is provided to review this section of the regulation, clarify the wording, and focus on the importance of providing information about non-standard conditions.
Therefore, part 139.323 (b) is applied only to non-standard or right-hand traffic patterns at certificated airports. If an airport has all standard (left-hand) traffic patterns, the segmented circle is not required. An airport, at which a right-hand traffic pattern exists and either has or anticipates having an air carrier operation(s) after the ATCT closes, must have a segmented circle with a clearly identifiable indication as to the runway and the pattern.
Mike Mullen
July 1999
