Joining an aerodrome circuit[PDF]
Contents
Introduction
These 3 legs are:
- Downwind leg
- Base leg
- Final leg
Basic security rules
This procedure gives the opportunity to carefully check the airfield area, the air sock and boundaries for hazards – animals, power lines and other wires, ditches, obstructions - and to ascertain the whereabouts of other traffic in, or joining, the circuit and to be seen by them.
Joining the circuit on non-controlled airfield
Aircraft arriving at the opposite side of the circuit – standard
In this configuration, the pilot is at the opposite side of the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the runway or airfield; he will cross the runway axis before the circuit. Remember that the altitude taken must be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic circuit altitude (take 1500ft AGL as traffic circuit altitude if there is no published pattern altitude).
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 180° turn outside the runway if possible, and then follows a parallel track outside the runway axis and at the opposite side of the circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit.
When the runway is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can join the beginning of the downwind leg.
Aircraft arriving at the opposite side of the circuit – 45° procedure
In this configuration, the pilot is at the opposite side of the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the runway or airfield; he will cross the runway axis before the circuit. Remember that the altitude taken must be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic pattern altitude or 1500ft AGL if there is no published pattern altitude.
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 45° turn inside the aerodrome circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit. The 45° turn must be done in the direction of the beginning of the downwind leg.
When the beginning of the downwind leg is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can join the beginning or the middle of the downwind leg.
Aircraft inside of the circuit before airfield overhead – standard
In this configuration, the pilot will join the overhead inside the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the runway or airfield. Remember that the altitude taken must be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic pattern altitude or 1500ft AGL if there is no published pattern altitude.
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 90° turn outside the runway if possible, and then follows a parallel track outside the runway axis and at the opposite side of the circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit.
When the runway is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can now join the beginning of the downwind leg.
Aircraft inside of the circuit before airfield overhead – 45°/90° procedure
The runway is in front of the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can now join the middle of the downwind. The integration can be at the middle of the downwind using a 45° or 90° angle.
Joining the circuit at controlled airfields
See also
- None
Reference
- None
Author
- VID 150259 - Creation
- VID 450012 - Wiki Integration
DATE OF SUBMISSION
- 19:43, 16 February 2022
COPYRIGHT
- This documentation is copyrighted as part of the intellectual property of the International Virtual Aviation Organisation.
DISCLAIMER
- The content of this documentation is intended for aviation simulation only and must not be used for real aviation operations.