Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 125; Flight Crew Type 125
Confusion; Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I was on a pleasure flight and intended to do a landing at ZZZ; where I have landed many times before. The wind was light [at] 220; and my intent was to land on Runway 16. After announcing my intent at 8 NM to the NW; two other planes announced to the east for landing on 16. I did look at the airport diagram; but had the clipboard upside down. I continued the approach; calling out downwind; etc for 16 when in reality I was approaching and landing on 34. I remember holding some R aileron for an anticipated R crosswind and being surprised that it was from the L. After landing I stopped on the taxiway facing S and wondered why I never saw the 2nd plane land; but it still didn't click. So I went to the end of 34; announced I was departing 16; and uneventfully took off as the 3rd plane was entering the downwind for 16. Looking to the L I never saw him; because of course he was behind me to the R. It was only when I leveled off that I realized what I had done and how lucky 3 pilots had been. Before this; I thought this was something that could only happen to a complete idiot; but it happened to me at an airport I thought I was familiar with. I had the airport diagram out but was holding the clipboard upside down. I think I did look at the heading at some point; which was of course the reciprocal and was 160. I was completely turned around without any reason to be. I have now decided that 'confirm course' should be done immediately after turning final.
GA pilot reports becoming confused approaching his destination with intentions to land on Runway 16 but instead entering the downwind and landing on Runway 34. The error is not discovered until after the ensuing takeoff.