Circuit altitude by aircraft category
Circuit altitude default: 1,000 ft AAE (above aerodrome elevation), propeller-driven aeroplanes only (RAC 4.5.2).
- Unless the aerodrome's CFS entry publishes a specific altitude, or weather dictates otherwise.
| Category | Circuit altitude |
|---|---|
| Propeller-driven aeroplanes | 1,000 ft AAE |
| Large / turbine-powered aeroplanes | 500 ft above established circuit altitude, usually 1,500 ft AAE |
| Rotorcraft flying own lower circuit | 500 ft AAE, closer to runway |
| Gliders | 500 to 1,000 ft AAE on downwind, then diagonal leg to base |
| Ultra-lights that can't hold 1,000 ft pattern | no higher than 500 ft, below and inside standard circuit |
| Balloons | no standard circuit |
Category notes:
- Large/turbine: faster, greater turning distances, so higher and larger circuit.
- Rotorcraft: may instead fly standard aeroplane circuit.
- Helicopters and gyroplanes: may practise autorotation (power-off) approaches, steep angle, 1,500 to 2,000 ft/min descent.
- Helicopters: may skip fixed-wing circuit; depart or arrive direct from helipad, apron, or taxiway, with clear radio calls on intentions, well clear of circuit traffic.
- Ultra-lights: aerodrome with published ultra-light landing area may run second, lower pattern parallel to standard, opposite-direction turns, if established in CFS.
- Balloons: no crosswind, downwind, or base leg (RAC 4.5.2).
- Gliders: share the circuit with powered aircraft and typically join on the downwind leg.
- Gliders: fly a steeper final glidepath (about 8 degrees) than powered traffic and can seldom hold altitude.
- Gliders: if the CFS specifies, the glider circuit may be on the opposite side of the runway from powered traffic.
- Glider operating area beside a powered-aircraft runway: usually on the same side as the glider circuit.
Status of the numbers (RAC 4.5.2):
- Numbers above are TC AIM recommendations only; neither ICAO SARPs nor CARs prescribe circuit operating altitudes or dimensions.
- At uncontrolled aerodromes, all pilots share equal responsibility for deconflicting.
Trap: assuming every aircraft flies the same 1,000 ft circuit. Large/turbine aeroplanes fly 500 ft higher, rotorcraft and ultra-lights lower, gliders a variable downwind band; each is the category's expected circuit, not a free choice. Also assuming the glider circuit must be on the powered-traffic side: the CFS can specify the opposite side.
References
- TC AIM RAC 4.5.2