Traffic pattern legs explained
The five legs every pilot flies, which way you turn, and how high to fly them.
The traffic pattern is the rectangle every airplane flies around a non-towered airport (and often a towered one) so everyone knows where everyone else is. Learn the five legs, the standard direction and the usual altitude, and the radio calls fall into place.
The five legs of the traffic pattern
| Leg | Where it is | What you're doing |
|---|---|---|
| Upwind | Parallel to the runway, in the landing direction | Climbing out after takeoff or after a go-around |
| Crosswind | Perpendicular to the runway, off the departure end | Turning toward downwind, still climbing to pattern altitude |
| Downwind | Parallel to the runway, opposite the landing direction | Level at pattern altitude, before-landing checklist, power back abeam the numbers |
| Base | Perpendicular to the runway, between downwind and final | Descending, adding flaps, judging the turn to final |
| Final | Lined up with the runway | Stabilized descent to the touchdown point |
Source: FAA AIM 4-3-2 and 4-3-3; FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Ch. 8.
Left turns are standard
Unless the chart supplement, a segmented circle or ATC says otherwise, all turns in the pattern are to the left. Right traffic is published for specific runways, usually because of terrain, noise or a neighboring airport. Always check the Chart Supplement before you go.
Pattern altitude
The FAA recommends a pattern altitude of 1,000 ft above ground level for most piston airplanes, unless the airport publishes something different. Enter the downwind at a 45-degree angle at pattern altitude, abeam the midfield.
The radio calls, leg by leg
At a non-towered airport you announce your position on the CTAF: entering the 45, downwind, base and final, plus clear of the runway. Practice the exact wording out loud in the Radio Trainer.
Traffic pattern lab
Fly every leg interactively
Open →Radio Trainer
Practice the CTAF calls out loud
Open →Common questions
What are the five legs of the traffic pattern?
Upwind, crosswind, downwind, base and final.
Are traffic pattern turns left or right?
Left, unless a chart, segmented circle or ATC says right traffic is in use for that runway.
What is standard traffic pattern altitude?
The FAA recommends 1,000 ft above ground level for most piston airplanes unless the airport publishes a different altitude.
Sources, review & change history
- Published
- Oct 26, 2026
- Review status
- Written from the FAA sources linked in the text. Not yet re-checked line by line or reviewed by a flight instructor.
- Changes
- Oct 26, 2026: first published.
Study aid only. Your instructor, current 14 CFR and the FAA's handbooks and ACS have the final word.