On 7/7/2011 5:06 AM, Mike Rhodes wrote:
Ground Track Maneuvers?

Why do them?

There are no maneuvers in flying that resemble GTM other than GTM.

Are pilots being taught how to buzz their neighbor's house with
precision? Or just building time?

Because of its importance there was much concern in this newbe the
first time I heard of a stall to crash (with the expected fatalites)
as the pilot was turning to final. Why did he do that? The pilot may
have used simple reflex actions of treating the airport as a GTM. He
had been taught (or taught himself) to wrestle with the aircraft for a
precision track during GTM, and instinctively thinking accuracy on his
approach to landing. Instead, stall speed, low altitude and
low-angled turns should've been his prime concerns.

I have a small aviation library, including David Frazier's "ABC'S of
Safe Flying" (1992). I read it eagerly until getting to GMT and also
advanced maneuvers. Interest was lost at that point, and could not be
regained on those points. I simply do not want to do them, and see no
reason for them. Cross-county flights to various airports through
various airspace makes better sense.

One maneuver may be appropriate, but there is too much concentration
on GMT in training. Do any of you keep current?

I will complete the requirements for the certificate. But GMT and
other such maneuvers will not be taken so seriously, possibly even
angrily. That unless any instructor can prove their need. Wind
correction (as suggested in the book) is not sufficient.

Learning to fly an airplane incorporates many disciplines, including
airmanship, learning to fly the airplane safely at the (bottom) edges of
the flight envelope, handling the airplane in various wind situations,
mechanical handling of the engine and systems, navigation,
communication, and many others.

Ground track maneuvers are used on every flight that involves a traffic
pattern. Ideally ground track maneuvers should be flown with moderate
wind so you can note the track, speed, and turn changes necessary to
compensate for how the wind affects the aircraft.

Enjoy your flight training, you have much to learn.