Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Airport
I was assigned this hazard report. This unidentified report brought to light a dangerous change in procedures at the LCI (Laconia; New Hampshire) airport. Pilot report: At LCI; Jeppsen airport diagram stipulates right-hand traffic for Runway 26; while permanent NOTAM for the airport states left-hand traffic for that Runway. The published pattern altitude for turbine aircraft is 2045 [feet] MSL - an unsafe altitude to clear rising terrain south of Runway 26 on a left downwind. 3;000 feet is a much better altitude - but be advised that after clearing the last of the terrain; you must fly a 5-mile final to descend the 2;500 feet to the Runway. The Runway 26 PAPI has a 3.08% inclination. The Jeppsen chart is incorrect. We contacted the FBO over the radio during arrival to ask what the REAL traffic pattern to fly for Runway 26 is; and they confirmed it is left traffic. I called the airport manager and he explained that he inquired with the FAA about changing Runway 26 to left traffic pattern. The FAA took it as a request to change and ended up changing Runway 26 to left traffic. After communicating this with the FAA; they are requesting a different form to be filled out by the manager. In the meantime; a NOTAM has been issued for left traffic for Runway 26. A NOTAM shows until permanent and at a normal traffic pattern altitude of 2;045 feet on a left pattern for Runway 26; you would fly extremely close to a ski hill at 2;382 feet. After noting this; we have put a note into our flight ops manual that will notify any crew that right traffic or a higher traffic pattern altitude for left traffic is authorized by the airport manager. I filed a report on the FAA safety hotline.I believe the traffic pattern should be switched back to right traffic.
Twin Engine Turbojet Captain reported the Jeppsen chart traffic pattern direction for Runway 26 does not agree with the permanent Notam; R vs L. The Captain also states the traffic pattern altitude is too low for a jet aircraft using the NOTAM pattern; Left.