The traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or taking off from an airport. The components of a typical traffic pattern are departure, upwind leg, crosswind leg, downwind leg, base leg, and final approach.

1. Upwind Leg- A flight path that begins after departure and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline.
2. Crosswind Leg- A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its upwind end.
3. Downwind Leg- A flight path parallel to the landing runway in the direction opposite to landing. The downwind leg normally extends between the crosswind leg and the base leg.
4. Base Leg- A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its approach end. The base leg normally extends from the downwind leg to the intersection of the extended runway centerline.
5. Final Approach- A flight path in the direction of landing along the extended runway centerline. The final approach normally extends from the base leg to the runway. An aircraft making a straight-in approach VFR is also considered to be on final approach.
6. Departure- The flight path that begins after takeoff and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline. The departure climb continues until reaching a point at least 1/2 mile beyond the departure end of the runway and within 300 feet of the traffic pattern altitude.

Listed in the Pilot/Controller Glossary as a cross-reference to TRAFFIC PATTERN, whose text is shown above.

Source FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary↗ · checked 2026-08-25