B1005 GROUND ~1.0 hour study

VFR Military and Civilian Patterns and Communications

Towered, Untowered, and Military Overhead Patterns

OBJECTIVE

Familiarize trainees with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic patterns at towered and untowered airports, including military overhead patterns. Covers pattern geometry, spacing, speeds, entry procedures, and complete communications sequences for each environment to ensure safe integration into airport traffic during virtual simulations.

CONTENT

Traffic Pattern Fundamentals

The traffic pattern is a standard flight path around an airport that organizes arriving and departing traffic. All pilots must understand these basics:

STANDARD PATTERN LEGS

Departure/Upwind → Crosswind → Downwind → Base → Final

PATTERN LEG DESCRIPTIONS

Departure/Upwind Flight path aligned with runway after takeoff; climb to pattern altitude
Crosswind 90° turn from upwind; continues climb to pattern altitude
Downwind Parallel to runway, opposite direction; level at pattern altitude
Base 90° turn toward runway; begin descent
Final Aligned with runway centerline; continue descent to landing

STANDARD CIVILIAN TRAFFIC PATTERN

RUNWAY TDZ 45° 45° ENTRY UPWIND CROSSWIND DOWNWIND BASE FINAL ½ - 1 NM LEFT TRAFFIC Pattern Alt 1,000' AGL BASE TURN 45° from TDZ

Standard left-hand civilian traffic pattern with 45° entry to downwind. Base turn begins when touchdown zone is 45° behind aircraft.

MILITARY OVERHEAD PATTERN - INSIDE & OUTSIDE DOWNWIND

RWY INITIAL 330 KIAS BREAK INSIDE DOWNWIND 200-220 KIAS PERCH POINT 1.5 NM OUTSIDE DOWNWIND OUTSIDE BASE 45° TO INITIAL ~2 NM INITIAL 5 NM PATTERN OPTIONS Inside (1.5 NM) Outside (5 NM) Perch Point Break Turn Alt: 1,500' AGL INSIDE PATTERN • Two 180° turns • Tighter, faster • Standard overhead OUTSIDE PATTERN • Rectangular pattern • 45° cut to 2 NM initial • More time to configure • Used for practice/spacing

Military overhead pattern showing inside downwind (1.5 NM, two 180° turns) and outside downwind (5 NM rectangular with 45° to initial)

Inside vs Outside Downwind

Inside Downwind (Standard)

  • • 1.5 NM offset from runway
  • • Two 180° turns (break + perch)
  • • Faster pattern, less time to configure
  • • Standard for proficient crews

Outside Downwind

  • • 5 NM offset from runway
  • • Rectangular pattern with 45° leg
  • • 45° intercepts 2 NM initial
  • • More time for configuration/practice

PATTERN DIRECTION

Left Traffic (Standard)

All turns are to the LEFT

Default unless otherwise published

Right Traffic

All turns are to the RIGHT

Published for terrain, noise, or parallel runways

Towered Airport Patterns

At towered airports, ATC controls the pattern. They may modify altitudes, legs, or sequencing. Listen and comply with all ATC instructions.

TYPICAL CIVILIAN PATTERN PARAMETERS

Pattern Altitude

1,000' AGL

Light aircraft

Downwind Distance

½ - 1 NM

From runway

Pattern Speed

90-120 KIAS

Varies by aircraft

PATTERN ENTRY OPTIONS (ATC MAY ASSIGN)

45° Entry to Downwind

Standard entry - approach midfield at 45° angle to downwind leg

Straight-in

Direct approach to final - ATC assigns when traffic permits

Base Entry

Enter directly on base leg - shortens pattern

Crosswind Entry

Enter perpendicular to runway, turn to downwind

TOWERED PATTERN COMMUNICATIONS SEQUENCE

1. Initial Contact (10-15 miles out)

PILOT:

"Laughlin Tower, BULLY54, 10 miles south, inbound option tower with Alpha."

ATC:

"BULLY54, Laughlin Tower, enter left downwind runway 31, report midfield."

PILOT READBACK:

"Left downwind 31, report midfield, BULLY54."

2. Position Report (if requested)

PILOT:

"BULLY54, midfield left downwind, runway 31."

ATC:

"BULLY54, number 2, follow the T-38 on base, cleared for the option, runway 31."

PILOT READBACK:

"Number 2, traffic in sight, cleared for the option, runway 31, BULLY54."

LANDING CLEARANCE TYPES

CLEARED TO LAND

Permission to land and remain on the runway until clear. Full-stop landing.

"BULLY54, cleared to land runway 31."

CLEARED FOR THE OPTION

Pilot's choice: full-stop, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, or low approach. Most flexible clearance.

"BULLY54, cleared for the option runway 31."

CLEARED TOUCH AND GO

Land, maintain directional control, apply power, and takeoff without stopping.

"BULLY54, cleared touch and go runway 31."

CLEARED LOW APPROACH

Fly down final and over the runway without touching down. Go-around at low altitude.

"BULLY54, cleared low approach runway 31."

CLOSED PATTERN (REMAINING IN THE PATTERN)

A "closed" pattern means you will remain in the pattern after your touch-and-go or landing, rather than departing the area.

Requesting Closed Traffic

PILOT REQUEST:

"BULLY54, request closed."

ATC APPROVAL (Single):

"BULLY54, closed approved."

One pattern approved - request again after each landing

ATC APPROVAL (Continuous):

"BULLY54, continuous closed approved."

Multiple patterns approved - no need to request each time

Terminating Closed Traffic

PILOT (When done):

"BULLY54, request full stop."

ATC:

"BULLY54, cleared to land runway 31."

Untowered Airport Patterns

At untowered airports, there is no ATC. Pattern altitude, direction, and procedures are published in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD). You are responsible for traffic separation.

⚠️ WHERE TO FIND PATTERN INFORMATION

  • • Chart Supplement (A/FD): Traffic pattern altitude, direction, remarks
  • • Sectional Chart: "RP" symbol indicates right pattern for that runway
  • • ForeFlight/SkyVector: Airport info pages show pattern data
  • • CTAF Frequency: Listed on chart and supplement - THIS IS KEY!

TYPICAL UNTOWERED PATTERN PARAMETERS

Pattern Altitude

1,000' AGL

Unless published otherwise

Downwind Distance

½ - 1 NM

From runway

Direction

LEFT

Unless right traffic published

CTAF SELF-ANNOUNCE FORMAT

"[Airport] Traffic, [Callsign], [Position/Intentions], [Airport] Traffic"

Always bookend your transmission with the airport name and "Traffic" so others know which airport you're at.

COMMUNICATIONS FOR EACH PATTERN LEG

10 MILES OUT

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, 10 miles to the north, inbound runway 16, Stanton Traffic."

Announce intentions and request traffic advisory

ENTERING DOWNWIND

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, left downwind runway 16, Stanton Traffic."

MIDFIELD DOWNWIND (Optional but recommended)

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, midfield left downwind runway 16, touch and go, Stanton Traffic."

TURNING BASE

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, left base runway 16, Stanton Traffic."

FINAL

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, final runway 16, touch and go, Stanton Traffic."

CLEAR OF RUNWAY

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, clear of runway 16, taxiing to parking, Stanton Traffic."

DEPARTING AREA

"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, departing the area to the north, Stanton Traffic."

Remember: At untowered airports you are ANNOUNCING, not REQUESTING. There is no clearance - you are sharing your intentions so other traffic can maintain separation. See and avoid!

Military Overhead Pattern

Military aircraft use the overhead pattern for efficient, high-speed recovery to the runway. This pattern is faster and tighter than civilian patterns.

T-38C OVERHEAD PATTERN PARAMETERS

Initial Altitude

1,500' AGL

Initial Speed

330 KIAS

Pattern Altitude

1,500' AGL

Downwind Speed

200-220 KIAS

Base Speed

175-180 KIAS

Final Speed

155-165 KIAS

OVERHEAD PATTERN SEQUENCE

1

Initial Approach

Fly down the runway centerline at 1,500' AGL, 330 KIAS. Call "Initial" to tower.

2

Break Turn

At the "break point" (approach end or as directed), execute a level 180° turn to downwind. Reduce speed, configure aircraft.

3

Downwind

Parallel to runway, 1,500' AGL. Gear down abeam the numbers. Speed 200-220 KIAS slowing.

4

Perch/Base Turn

Begin turn to base, descending. Call "Base, Gear" to tower. Speed ~175 KIAS.

5

Final

Roll out on final, on speed (155-165 KIAS for T-38), on glidepath.

MILITARY PATTERN COMMUNICATIONS

Initial Call

PILOT:

"Tower, BULLY54, 5 mile initial, runway 31."

ATC:

"BULLY54, Laughlin Tower, runway 31, winds 310 at 12, cleared for the option."

Perch Point

(End of base leg "45 degree point" turning to land)

PILOT:

"BULLY54, base, gear."

(Confirms you're on base and gear is down)

ATC:

No response unless told to go-around.

MILITARY CLOSED PATTERN REQUESTS

Requesting Closed (Before Touch and Go)

PILOT:

"BULLY54, request closed."

ATC (Single Pattern):

"Closed Approved"

Terminating with Full Stop

PILOT:

"BULLY54, base, gear, stop."

ATC:

No response unless told to go-around.

Spacing and Sequencing

Proper spacing prevents collisions and go-arounds. Know how to adjust your pattern for traffic.

SPACING TECHNIQUES

Extend Downwind

Fly past normal base turn point to create more space behind traffic on final

"BULLY54, extend downwind, I'll call your base."

Widen Downwind

Fly downwind farther from the runway to lengthen your final approach

S-Turns on Final

Gentle S-turns to lose time/distance while remaining aligned with runway

360° Turn

Full orbit to create spacing (usually ATC-directed at towered fields)

"BULLY54, make a left 360 for spacing."

Speed Adjustment

Slow down or speed up to adjust interval

"BULLY54, reduce speed to 250."

STANDARD SPACING MINIMUMS

VFR Traffic (General)

  • • Maintain safe interval from traffic ahead
  • • Do not overtake on final
  • • Sequence behind faster aircraft if slower

Wake Turbulence

  • • Small behind Large: 4 NM / 3 min
  • • Small behind Heavy: 6 NM / 3 min
  • • Stay above preceding aircraft's flight path

Pattern Comparison: Civilian vs Military

Aspect Civilian Military (T-38)
Pattern Altitude 1,000' AGL 1,500' AGL
Entry 45° to downwind Initial (runway heading) + break
Entry Speed 90-120 KIAS 330 KIAS
Downwind Speed 80-100 KIAS 200-220 KIAS
Final Speed 60-80 KIAS 155-165 KIAS
Pattern Size Smaller, tighter Larger due to speed
Key Calls Downwind, Base, Final Initial, Break, Base/Gear

Common Errors and Mitigations

Wrong Pattern Direction

Flying left traffic when right traffic is published, or vice versa.

Mitigation: ALWAYS check Chart Supplement before entering pattern. Look for "RP" on sectional.

Wrong Pattern Altitude

Flying standard 1,000' AGL when a different altitude is published.

Mitigation: Check TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude) in Chart Supplement. Some airports have 800' or 1,500' patterns.

Cutting Off Other Traffic

Entering pattern without scanning for traffic, or turning base in front of someone.

Mitigation: LOOK before every turn. Listen to CTAF/frequency. Sequence behind established traffic.

Poor Radio Discipline

Long-winded calls, missing key info, or not listening.

Mitigation: Keep calls brief and standardized. Listen before transmitting. Include position, intentions, runway.

Not Following ATC Instructions

Turning base when told to extend, or landing without clearance.

Mitigation: Readback all instructions. If unsure, ask ATC to "say again." Never land without clearance at a towered field.

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will show understanding of VFR patterns and communications via diagrams and role-plays. Trainees must:

  • • Describe the five legs of a traffic pattern and when to fly each
  • • Demonstrate proper communications for a towered pattern including initial contact, clearance readback, and closed pattern requests
  • • Demonstrate proper CTAF self-announce calls for each leg at an untowered airport
  • • Explain the difference between "cleared to land," "cleared for the option," and "cleared touch and go"
  • • Describe the military overhead pattern sequence including initial, break, and base calls
  • • Explain spacing techniques (extend downwind, 360, speed adjustment)
  • • State where to find published pattern information (Chart Supplement, sectional)
  • • Identify at least three common pattern errors and their mitigations

Completion: Demonstrate understanding through discussion, comm scripting exercises, and pattern scenario role-plays

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