content_image/557057.jpg
<img src='content_image/557057.jpg'>

about the traffic pattern. If there is not a control tow- er, it is your responsibility to determine the direction of the traffic pattern, to comply with the appropriate traffic rules, and to display common courtesy toward other pilots operating in the area. The common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) is a good place to listen for traffic at the airport. It is also important to listen to the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) if one is provided. 

You are not expected to have extensive knowledge of all traffic patterns at all airports, but if you are famil- iar with the basic rectangular pattern, it will be easy to make proper approaches and departures from most airports, regardless of whether they have control tow- ers. Check the Airport/Facility Directory for airport and traffic pattern information. 

At airports with operating control towers, the tower operator may instruct you to enter the traffic pattern at any point or to make a straight-in approach with- out flying the usual rectangular pattern. Many other deviations are possible if the tower operator and the pilot work together in an effort to keep traffic moving 

smoothly. Jets or heavy aircraft will frequently be fly- ing wider and/or higher patterns than lighter aircraft, and in many cases will make a straight-in approach for landing. 

The standard general aviation (GA) rectangular traf- fic pattern is illustrated in Figure 10-1. Traffic pattern altitude can vary by airport and should be checked in the Airport/Facility Directory. The GA pattern altitude is typically 800 – 1,000 feet. The PPC should NOT be flown at the GA pattern altitude. In an effort to avoid airplanes, the PPC pattern altitude should be one-half the GA pattern altitude. Even after the airplane has slowed to traffic pattern speed, it is still 2 to 3 times the PPC speed. 

When entering the traffic pattern at an airport with- out an operating control tower, inbound pilots are ex- pected to observe other aircraft already in the pattern and to conform to the traffic pattern in use. If other aircraft are not in the pattern, then traffic indicators on the ground and wind indicators must be checked to determine which runway and traffic pattern direction should be used. Many airports have L-shaped traffic 

