"TheSmokingGnu" wrote in message
...

In non-radar D, very much so. You have to be on the ball all the time and
be sure to make precise radio calls.


Precise radio calls are a rarity.



Contrariwise, uncontrolled space can be a zoo, with a high traffic
density, and weekend warriors that don't (or won't) follow proper
procedure, in the cockpit or on the radio. You'll get lots of people that,
for example, won't depart the pattern on the downwind (nearly had a
from-behind midair with someone in an experimental twice my speed because
he thought he could depart via the upwind), or omitting initial position
calls, calls to final, calls clear of runway, omitting the ident, etc.
etc. etc. Add in some jet traffic along with the standard piston
assortment, and things can get ugly, really fast.


Part 91 specifies direction of turns for arriving aircraft, but not for
departing aircraft. The AIM states; "If departing the traffic pattern,
continue straight out, or exit with a 45 degree turn (to the left when in a
left?hand traffic pattern; to the right when in a right?hand traffic
pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway, after reaching pattern
altitude." Things like that probably lead people to believe departing via
the upwind is entirely proper.