The aerodrome circuit
Free lesson · Air Regulations · DGCA CPL and ATPL
The circuit drawn out: how you operate at an aerodrome, and where every leg of the pattern sits.
How do you operate at an aerodrome?
At the aerodrome
Inside or outside an ATZ, the same four rules. Tap each number.
- Observe and conform watch, then join or avoid Watch the other traffic at the aerodrome so you do not hit anyone, and either join their circuit pattern or keep out of it, inside or outside the traffic zone.
- All turns to the left unless instructed otherwise Turn left in the circuit, both on the way in to land and after take-off, unless told otherwise. A right-hand arrow shown in the signal area means turn right instead.
- Into wind Take off and land facing into the wind. Use another direction only when safety, the runway layout or the traffic make it better.
- Tower open: listen out Keep a continuous listening watch on tower frequency (unless with another approach unit), or watch for visual signals. Get authorisation by radio or signal before taxi, take-off or landing manoeuvres.
- Local night flying Local flights exempted by ATC, and flying club training flights cleared by ATC, may fly at night in VMC. A local flight stays in the immediate vicinity of the aerodrome.
Memory hook: Left turns, into wind, ears open.
Takeaway: Watch traffic, join or avoid the pattern, turn left, land and take off into wind. With a tower open: listen out and get authorisation.
Where are the circuit legs, and where is final?
The circuit
The circuit seen from above. Follow the arrows from take-off round to landing.
Memory hook: 4 NM is the line: inside it is final, from 4 to 8 NM is long final.
Takeaway: Upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, final. Final is within 4 NM of the threshold; long final is 4 to 8 NM.