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pattern indicators displayed with a segmented circle adjacent to the runway. [Figure 10-5] The short mem- ber of the L shows the direction in which the traffic pattern turns should be made when using the runway parallel to the long member. Check these indicators while at a distance well away from any pattern that might be in use, or while at a safe height well above airport pattern altitudes. Once the proper traffic pat- tern direction has been determined, you should then proceed to a point well clear of the pattern before de- scending to the pattern altitude. 

When approaching an airport for landing, the traffic pattern should be entered at a 45° angle to the down- wind leg, headed toward a point abeam of the mid- point of the runway to be used for landing. Arriving aircraft should be at the proper traffic pattern altitude before entering the pattern, and should stay clear of the traffic flow until established on the entry leg. En- 

tries into traffic patterns while descending create spe- cific collision hazards and should always be avoided. 

The entry leg should be of sufficient length to provide a clear view of the entire traffic pattern, and to allow you adequate time for planning the intended path in the pattern and the landing approach. 

The downwind leg is a course flown parallel to the landing runway, but in a direction opposite to the in- tended landing direction. This leg should be at one- half the specified traffic pattern altitude to alleviate conflicts with faster aircraft. During this leg, the be- fore landing check should be completed. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam the approach end of the landing runway. At this point, reduce power and begin a descent. The downwind leg continues past a point abeam the approach end of the runway to a point ap- proximately 45° from the approach end of the runway, and a medium bank turn is made onto the base leg. 

