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that may be on the final approach. This is especially important since the WSC aircraft is in a tighter pattern and could be flying onto the final approach of faster airplanes. 

The final approach leg is a descending fl ightpath starting from the completion of the base-to-final turn and extending to the point of touchdown. This is probably the most important leg of the entire pattern because the pilot’s judgment and procedures must be the sharpest to control the airspeed and descent angle accurately while approaching the intended touchdown point. 

As stipulated in 14 CFR part 91, aircraft while on fi nal approach to land or while landing have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right of way. A pilot should not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of or overtake another aircraft on fi nal approach. 

The departure leg of the rectangular pattern is a straight course aligned with, and leading from, the takeoff runway. This leg begins at the point the aircraft leaves the ground and continues until the 90° turn onto the crosswind leg is started. On the departure leg after takeoff, the pilot should continue climbing straight ahead, and, if remaining in the traffic pattern, commence a turn to the crosswind leg beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of pattern altitude. If departing the traffic pattern, continue straight out or exit with a 45° turn (to the left when in a left-hand traffi c pattern; to the right when in a right-hand traffi c pattern) beyond the departure end of the runway after reaching pattern altitude. 

An upwind leg is a course flown parallel to the landing runway, but in the same direction as the intended landing direction. The upwind leg continues past a point abeam the departure end of the runway to where a medium bank 90° turn is made onto the crosswind leg. The upwind leg is also the transitional part of the traffic pattern when on the fi nal approach and a go-around is initiated and climb attitude is established. When a safe altitude is attained, the pilot should commence a shallow bank turn to the right side of the runway. This allows better visibility of the runway for departing aircraft. [Figure 10-10] 

The crosswind leg is the part of the rectangular pattern that is horizontally perpendicular to the extended centerline of the takeoff runway and is entered by making approximately a 90° turn from the departure or upwind leg. On the crosswind leg, the aircraft proceeds to the downwind leg position. 

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In most cases, the takeoff is made into the wind in which case it is now approximately perpendicular to the aircraft’s flightpath. As a result, the aircraft has to be turned or headed slightly into the wind while on the crosswind leg to maintain a ground track that is perpendicular to the runway centerline extension. 

## Chapter Summary 

Airport patterns provide organized air traffi c flows into and out of an airport. An airport traffic pattern is established appropriate to the local conditions, including the direction and placement of the pattern, altitude to be flown, and procedures for entering and leaving the pattern. 

The legs of an airport pattern from takeoff are: 

• Departure—direction of takeoff on the centerline of the runway 

• Crosswind—first 90° turn flying perpendicular to the takeoff direction 

• Downwind—second 90° turn flying parallel to the takeoff direction opposite the direction of takeoff and landing 

• Base—third 90° turn flying perpendicular towards the runway centerline 

• Final—forth 90° turn headed down the centerline of the runway to land 

Pilots must research and determine from prefl ight preparation the possible runways and patterns for runways at the intended airports for the flight. The pilot must determine the actual pattern at the airport from observation and talking with other pilots on the CTAF or from the wind direction if no other pilots are in the pattern. Normal airport patterns are always left hand unless indicated otherwise. 

