Airfield Traffic Pattern - Procedures in The Pattern

Procedures in The Pattern

Aircraft are expected to join and leave the pattern, following the pattern already in use. Sometimes this will be at the discretion of the pilot, while at other times the pilot will be directed by air traffic control.

There are conventions for joining the pattern, used in different jurisdictions.

• In the United States, aircraft usually join the pattern at a 45° angle to the downwind leg and abeam midfield. Although aircraft may legally join the pattern at any point, the AIM clearly states that the only approved pattern entry is the 45.
• In Canada, aircraft at uncontrolled airports usually cross the airport at midfield at pattern altitude from the upwind side, turning onto the downwind leg. At controlled airports, the tower typically directs aircraft to join the downwind leg, base leg, or straight in to the final leg.
• In the UK and South Africa, a Standard Overhead Join is recommended.
• In Europe, aircraft usually join the pattern at a 45° angle to the downwind leg, in the beginning of the downwind leg.
• Fast aircraft, for example military jets, may enter the pattern with a run-and-break. The aircraft flies at speed along the final leg, and makes a sharp, high-G turn above midfield to lose speed and arrive on the downwind leg at pattern altitude and in landing configuration.

Similarly, there are conventions for departing the pattern.

• In the United States, aircraft usually depart the pattern either straight out along the runway heading, or with a 45° turn in the direction of the crosswind leg.
• In Canada, aircraft usually depart straight out along the runway heading until at circuit altitude, at which point they may turn as desired. At controlled airports, the tower typically gives instructions for what turn to make on departure.

There is also a procedure known as an "orbit", where an aircraft flies a 360° loop either clockwise or anticlockwise. This is usually to allow greater separation with other traffic ahead in the pattern. This can be the result of a controller's instruction. If at the pilot's initiative, the pilot will report e.g. "(tail ID number or flight number) making one left-hand orbit, will advise complete".

To practice take off and landing, a pilot would often fly many patterns, one after another, from the same runway. Upon each landing, depending on the runway distance remaining, aircraft and pilot capabilities, noise abatement procedures in effect, and air traffic control clearance, the pilot will perform either a full stop landing (taxi to the runway beginning for subsequent take-off), a touch-and-go (stabilize in the landing roll, reconfigure the aircraft for take-off, and take-off without ever stopping the aircraft), or a stop-and-go (decelerate to a stop, then take-off from the remaining runway). In the U.S., when operating in a controlled airport a pilot can be "cleared for the option", allowing any of the landing options above, or a rejected landing, at pilot's discretion.