A Guide to better Traffic Patterns

New students find the traffic pattern tough. They juggle radio calls, flying the airplane, and spotting nearby traffic through every stage. Airport traffic patterns ensure that air traffic moves into and out of an airport safely. The direction and placement of the pattern, the altitude at which it is to be flown, and the procedures for entering and exiting the pattern may depend on local conditions.

Pilots start and end flights at airports or landing fields. They must learn traffic rules, procedures, and pattern layouts at different airports. Flying a traffic pattern keeps flights safe and helps manage the aircraft. This guide fits towered airports—even when towers close—and non-towered ones.

Entering the Traffic Pattern

Before entering a traffic pattern, rather it is taking off and joining the pattern or flying into another airports traffic pattern. Pilots need to become familiar with it in order to avoid confusion and loss of situational awareness. Some crucial things to know concern the following:

• Airport frequencies

• Pattern altitude

• Pattern direction

• Entry procedures

Airport frequencies - At non-towered airports or when the tower is closed a specific frequency is assigned for pilots to self-announce positions and intentions. The common frequency used to hear other traffic in the area is called the CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency) or UNICOM. To learn more checkout the Difference between a CTAF and UNICOM. At towered airports, pilots will use the published frequencies and communicate with ATC.

Pattern altitude - The traffic pattern altitude (TPA) is 1,000 feet above the ground (AGL) or elevation of the airport surface, but maybe different at some airports. For an example, if the field elevation at Montgomery field (KMYF) is 427 feet MSL (measured sea level), simply add 1,000 feet to get 1,427 feet, then simply around up or down, so the pattern altitude at Montgomery is 1,400 feet MSL. 

Pattern direction/Entry - Always familiarize yourself on what the pattern flow is at every airport, either standard (left) pattern or non-standard (right) pattern. This information can be found in the U.S. Chart Supplement. Know each leg of the pattern well, this will keep your situation awareness sharp and helps you manage time wisely.

The Traffic Pattern

Airport traffic patterns set the direction and altitude, this goes for both non-towered and towered airports. They cover procedures for entering and exiting. Pilots make left turns for all standard pattern turns. Use non-standard right turns only if the airport requires them to avoid terrain, airspace, populated areas, or parallel runways.

Each traffic pattern consists of five main legs:

1. Upwind/Departure Leg

2. Crosswind Leg

3. Downwind Leg

4. Base Leg

5. Final

Upwind/Departure Leg - The Upwind/departure leg is the beginning of the rectangular traffic pattern. It begins at the airplanes liftoff point, along the runway centerline. Climb to 300 feet below traffic pattern altitude before turning onto the next leg, called crosswind.

A couple of tips for this leg:

• Maintaining runway heading.

• Keeping your climb at Best Rate-of-Climb (Vy), found in the aircraft POH unless otherwise instructed.

• Continuing to monitor your airspeed and heading. If you have a heading bug, set it to runway heading in order to have a great visual reference.

Crosswind Leg - At no lower than 500 feet AGL, turn 90° left (or right, based on pattern direction) to enter the crosswind leg. Keep climbing to pattern altitude as you fly on the crosswind leg.

A couple of tips for this leg:

• Watch for other aircraft entering the downwind leg.

• Check blind spots caused by fixed aircraft structures

• Preparing to turn onto the downwind leg.

• Watching your altitude and preparing to level off and reduce power.

• Continuing to monitor your airspeed.

Downwind Leg - The downwind leg is the longest portion of the pattern. Fly parallel to the landing runway, but head opposite the landing direction. If you departed runway 27, fly heading 090°. Stay about 1/2 to 1 mile from the runway at traffic pattern altitude.

In a high-wing airplane, line the runway up midway on the wing strut to judge distance. Upon crossing the halfway or intending landing point, start pre-landing checks, slow the airplane down to lower the flaps and landing gear. Another technique is to begin the descent earlier, when abeam the landing threshold. Prepare to turn on to the base leg.

A couple of tips for this leg:

• Look for other traffic ahead or tuning on to Base or Final.

• Maintaining heading and ensuring you within 1/2 to 1 mile away from the runway

• Completing a pre-landing checklist

• Slowing down the aircraft by reducing power and adding your first notch of flaps

Base Leg - Start the base leg turn when the runway's approach end is approximately 45° off your shoulder. Turn 90° left from downwind. On base leg, start the descent toward final approach leg.

At this point descend at 1700-1800 RPM and 500 FPM (feet per minute). Lower flaps to 20°. Watch the airspeed and your descent to the runway.

A couple of tips for this leg:

• Watch for other aircraft that are on final.

• Maintain appropriate airspeed for a stable descent.

Final - Continuing decent from the base leg, this is the most important leg of the entire pattern, due to you realigning the airplane to the runway centerline and adjusting for any wind correction. Add the last set of flaps, and have steady control of the airspeed and descent angle.

Always look for other aircraft, wildlife, or other issues on or near there runway or if the setup looks or feels off, ALWAYS GO AROUND! As a student pilot, get comfortable with each leg of the traffic pattern. Learn what to do and why. Practice clear radio calls and always maintain situational awareness.

A couple of tips for this leg:

• Watch for other aircraft or any other conflicts on or near the runway.

• Check blind spots caused by fixed aircraft structures

• Be prepared for a Go-around.

• Maintain appropriate airspeed for a stable and safe approach to landing.

Final thoughts, stay sharp and aware of your surroundings at all times. Have fun with the learning. Remember, this guide fits towered airports—even when the tower closes down for the night and non-towered ones. A few last tips, key notes for non-towered airports:

• Always make position reports at a non-towered airport. (Report entering downwind, turning downwind to base, and base to final, etc.).

• Remember that radio communication is not required at non-towered airports, but highly recommended.

• Be aware that there may be aircraft in the pattern without radios.

• Use exterior lights to improve the chances of being seen.

• More information on traffic patterns can be found in AC 91-66c.

With having a better idea of traffic patterns, you can practice them as you grow as a pilot. Red Horse Aviation is here every step of the way as you learn. Become confident, and progress as a pilot! Start your flight training with us today.