Flying a Traffic Pattern | How to Land an Airplane

The humble traffic pattern is the foundation of all good flying skills. In one short, six minute routine, you combine taxi, takeoff, climb, rudder coordination, instrument cross check, power management, level offs, turns, ground references, wind corrections, energy management, descents, and landings. It's a complete meal! Here is how to fly great patterns.

[stevekirk]

Brilliantly explained and demonstrated. Thank you.

[karlhouseknecht]

For the 172, the procedure I found and that works well in FS202X for that aircraft is the following (obviously more steps in real aircraft, this is for sim):
- Full throttle, climb at 74 kts
- 500' AGL, turn crosswind, continue climbing
- 1000' AGL, level off, turn downwind, set 2300 RPM, ~90 kts
- Abeam numbers, 1700 RPM, flaps 10, 85 kts, descend 500 fpm
- 700' AGL, turn base, flaps 20, 75 kts, descend 500 fpm
- 400 AGL, turn final, flaps 30, 65 kts, throttle to keep glide path

[donepearce]

It seems to me that the majority of patterns are left handed. Is this an unconscious preference or is it actually preferred?

[longching]

Why use visual instead of the heading indicator just add 90 or minus 90 and it will be more accurate

[engchoontan]

route = streams
path = glide wind assist
approach = glide
final approach = align

today FL hahaha pompous terminology like starboard port
today, for changi, 18000ft glide(speed) to part-of holding-pattern(sling-shot) and align with runway. watch for 250knts before use rudder and 150knts to deploy landing gear with thrust compensation. if miss = no deploy landing gear

[TheUnhappyTroll]

why take a visual bearings if you have a compass?