L5 - Visual pattern25-11-2005 | |
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L5 - Visual pattern25-11-2005 | |
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Here is an example of VFR patterns :
In red, the different legs of a standard visual pattern around the airfield (always left turns unless otherwise specified on visual charts) : 1 = Upwind leg, just after take-off, on runway heading. 2 = Crosswind leg, 90° left turn. 3 = Downwind leg, 90° left turn parallel to runway, heading opposite to take-off heading, usually at 1000 ft AGL. 4 = Base leg, 90° left turn again. 5 = Final turn, from base leg to final leg. 6 = Final leg, on runway heading, to land. 7 = Long final (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 at points 3, 4, (5) and 6. Points 1 and 2 are rarely used for position reports. A right-handed pattern can be published too (red dash-line here). In blue, some entry points into the TWR area of responsability. Usually, these points are named according to their geographical position from the airfield. Thus we have here : NE = the north-east entry point, from where aircraft will join the left-hand downwind leg here. NW = the north-west entry point, from they will join the left-hand base leg. SW = the south-west entry point, from where they will join the final leg. S = the south entry point, from where they will join the right-hand base (if published, but can be instructed even if not published, provided there are no restrictions for such a procedure). SE = the south-east entry point, from where they will join the right-hand downwind (if for any reason, right-hand patterns are not available, the pilot will have to join the standard/published left-hand downwind).
Note : this is an example to help you understanding what a visual pattern is; you may find lots of different configurations. |
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