Circuit legs and orientation

Rectangular aerodrome traffic circuit (TP 1102): five components, flown in order. Shape fixed; orientation set by runway in use.

1. Take-off
   • Straight climb into wind, normally to 500 ft.
   • Then 90-degree turn onto cross-wind.
2. Cross-wind
   • Continuous climb to circuit height, level off.
   • Then 90-degree turn onto downwind.
3. Downwind
   • Track parallel to landing path.
   • Pre-landing checks here.
   • Approach starts at downwind-to-base turn.
   • Stronger wind = steeper descent angle on final = make that turn sooner.
4. Base
   • Turn once past downwind boundary "an appropriate distance."
   • Hold ground track at right angles to landing path: strong wind crabs nose well in toward field.
   • Adjust heading for drift.
   • Gliding approach: close throttle once within gliding distance of landing area.
5. Final
   • Turn just before intended line of final approach.
   • Stay in line with runway centre to touchdown.

Continuous circuits (touch-and-goes; RAC 4.5.2), after each take-off:

• Start turn onto cross-wind beyond runway departure end and within 300 ft of circuit altitude.
• Reach circuit altitude before downwind.

Trap: timing approach from final turn. It technically starts at downwind-to-base turn.

Practice