AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT

OBJECTIVES:
Understand how an aerodrome circuit is
flown and controlled
To learn the "ups" and "downs" in visual
circuits

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 AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT
WHAT IS AN AERODROMO TRAFFIC
CIRCUIT?
OBJECTIVES:
Understand how an aerodrome circuit is
flown and controlled
To learn the "ups" and "downs" in visual
circuits

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AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT

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AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT
The aerodrome traffic circuit begins and ends over
the runway and is generally flown between 500 and
1,500 feet above the airport elevation. The
recommended circuit altitude for piston engine
aircraft is 1000ft, for turboprops and jets 1500ft is
recommended.
 
Always check local regulations for specific circuit
altitude restrictions.
At controlled aerodromes (with ATC) the controllers
instruct the pilots when, where and how to enter the
aerodrome traffic circuit.

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At uncontrolled aerodromes (outside controlled airspace or at
controlled aerodromes where no ATC is provided, the VFR pilots
are responsible themselves for complying with the local
aerodrome traffic circuit rules and to maintain their own
separation.
Standard procedures are used for entering and exiting the
aerodrome traffic circuit.
 
The right-of-way rules apply both inside and outside the
aerodrome traffic circuit. The speed of the aircraft determines the
size of the traffic circuit. Faster aircraft fly a larger circuit than the
slower ones. To stay behind slower aircraft in the circuit, faster
aircraft may need to slow down or extend their downwind leg
slightly.

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Standard aerodrome traffic circuit
In a standard aerodrome traffic circuit all turns are made to the left.
Note that non-standard circuits are used with all turns to the right. Still the basics
are the same.
UPWIND
The upwind leg begins at the point where the airplane leaves the ground. It
continues climbing straight ahead to gain the sufficient altitude before the 90-
degree left turn is made to the crosswind leg.

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CROSSWIND
 
The crosswind leg is a flight path at a 90° angle to the takeoff direction.
After making a left turn from the upwind leg one enters the crosswind
leg. This turn is made at a safe height, while the climb is continued
towards the indicated or cleared circuit altitude.

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DOWNWIND
The downwind leg is a flight path parallel to the landing
runway in the opposite of the landing direction with the
runway at the left side of the aircraft.

Pilots MUST REPORT flying "DOWNWIND" unless instructed to report

elsewhere by ATC
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BASE
The base leg is a flight path at a 90° angle to the landing runway
direction and connects the downwind leg to the final approach
leg.

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FINAL
The final approach leg is a flight path in the direction of landing from the
base leg to the runway.

Pilots MUST REPORT flying "FINAL" unless landing clearance has already
been received from ATC.
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Joining the aerodrome traffic circuit

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In red, the different legs of a standard visual circuit (or pattern) around the
airfield (always standard left turns, unless otherwise specified or instructed) :
1 = Upwind leg, just after take-off, climb 500ft on runway heading
2 = Crosswind leg, 90° left turn, continue climb to circuit height.
3 = Downwind leg, 90° left turn parallel to runway, but heading opposite to
runway heading, circuit height, usually at 1000 ft AGL.
4 = Base leg, 90° left turn again and start of initial descent
5 = Final turn, from base leg to final leg and further descent to touch down.
6 = Final leg, on runway heading, to land or for touch and go.
7 = Long final, in case of extended downwind or staight in (say between 5 and
8 NM inbound at 1000 ft AGL).
An aircraft taking off from this airfield for a local VFR training will report
standard at points 3 and 6, unless otherwise requested by ATC.
A right-handed pattern can be published too (red dash-line here) and is exactly
mirrored.
In blue, some visual entry points into the control zone (CTR), normally the TWR
area of responsibility. Usually, these points are named according to their
geographical position from the airfield.

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Joining the aerodrome traffic circuit

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Note: Since left-hand circuit is standard, the words "left hand" will normally not be
used. To differentiate with the non-standard right-hand circuit, always the words
"right-hand" will be used when proceeding in a right-hand visual circuit.
 
Note that this is an example to help you understand what a visual circuit looks like.
At different airfields one may find different configurations.
For more information on VFR procedures, please see the chapter about VFR flight
and Flight Rules.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMPREHENSION AND COOPERATION

AND YOUR SPECIAL ATTENTION

WIDARUSA

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