Traffic pattern

{
  "id": "MLC-T-AVN-001031",
  "term": "Traffic pattern",
  "field": "Aviation and air traffic control",
  "definition": "The traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or taking off from an airport. The components of a typical traffic pattern are departure, upwind leg, crosswind leg, downwind leg, base leg, and final approach.\n\na. Upwind Leg- A flight path that begins after departure and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline. Upwind leg is an extension of departure and is used when issuing control instructions for separation, spacing or sequencing.\n\nb. Crosswind Leg- A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its upwind end.\n\nc. Downwind Leg- A flight path parallel to the landing runway in the direction opposite to landing. The downwind leg normally extends between the crosswind leg and the base leg.\n\nd. Base Leg- A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its approach end. The base leg normally extends from the downwind leg to the intersection of the extended runway centerline.\n\nNOTE: ATC may instruct a pilot to report a “2-mile left base” to Runway 22. This instruction means that the pilot is expected to maneuver their aircraft into a left base leg that will intercept a straight-in final 2 miles from the approach end of Runway 22 and advise ATC.\n\na. Final Approach- A flight path in the direction of landing along the extended runway centerline. The final approach normally extends from the base leg to the runway. An aircraft making a straight-in approach VFR is also considered to be on final approach.\n\nNOTE: ATC may instruct a pilot to report “5-mile final” to Runway 22. This instruction means that the pilot should maneuver their aircraft onto a straight-in final and advise ATC when they are five miles from the approach end of Runway 22.\n\na. Departure- The flight path that begins after takeoff and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline. The departure climb continues until reaching a point at least 1/2 mile beyond the departure end of the runway and within 300 feet of the traffic pattern altitude.",
  "synonyms": [
    "Base leg",
    "Downwind leg",
    "Upwind leg"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Straight-in approach VFR",
    "Taxi patterns",
    "Aerodrome traffic circuit [ICAO]"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA-H-8083-25, Chapter 14, Airport Operations, Traffic Patterns",
    "14 CFR part 91",
    "AIM",
    "FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/aviation/traffic-pattern/"
}