Airfield traffic pattern

It differs from "straight-in approaches" and "direct climb-outs" in that an aircraft using a traffic pattern remains close to the airport.Pilots flying under visual flight rules (VFR) may not be separated by air traffic control, so this consistent predictable pattern is a vital way to keep things orderly.In these instances, takeoffs are usually made downhill and landings uphill regardless of wind direction with the slope aiding in acceleration and deceleration.Right-hand patterns will be set up for parallel runways, for noise abatement, or because of ground features (such as terrain, towers, etc.).In the US, the non-standard (i.e. right-hand) patterns are noted in the Airport/Facilities Directory or on a sectional chart; in other countries they may be indicated in that nation's similar document, e.g. Canada Flight Supplement.For example, military airfields often dispense with the crosswind and base legs, but rather fly these as circular arcs directly joining the upwind and downwind sections.An aerodrome publishes a "circuit height" or "pattern altitude", that is, a nominal level above the field at which pilots are required (recommended in the US, FAA AC90-66A Para.Extreme caution must be exercised by pilots while flying at or through published traffic pattern altitudes as this might contribute to mid-air collisions.At airports without an operating control tower, a segmented circle visual indicator system, if installed, is designed to provide traffic pattern information.[11] Helicopter pilots also prefer to land facing the wind and are often asked to fly a pattern on arrival or departure.
An Airbus A330-300 of Turkish Airlines on short final to Heathrow Airport , immediately before landing .
Standard traffic pattern. Fig. 4-3-2 from FAA AIM.
Components of a traffic Pattern. Fig. 4-3-1 from FAA AIM.
Left and right hand traffic patterns as depicted in the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge issued by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America.
Traffic pattern of Eilat Airfield (Israel) . Note different pattern altitudes for heavy aircraft and ultralights/helicopters
Untowered airports may install a segmented circle visual indicator system to indicate which traffic pattern to fly.
Turkish Airlinesshort finalHeathrow Airportlandingaircrafttaking offairportair trafficgeneral aviationairbasescontrolledgo aroundaviation safetyvisual flight rulesaltiportsaccelerationpilot-in-commandrunwayssectional chartnon-towered airportstraffic pattern indicatorsignal squareCode of Federal Regulationsactive runwayFinal approachmilitary airfieldsair traffic controlUnited StatesCanadaSouth AfricaNew Zealandstandard overhead joinEuroperun-and-breakBankstown AirportAustraliaabove ground levelEilat Airfield (Israel)windsocksTraffic pattern indicatorsHelicopterholding patternHolding (aeronautics)Teardrop turnTouch-and-go landingFederal Aviation AdministrationTransport Canadapublic domain