FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Airspace and AirportsEasy
A pilot flying a standard rectangular traffic pattern at a nontowered airport with no published pattern altitude should plan to fly the pattern at what altitude above the airport elevation, using what turn direction unless otherwise indicated?
- A500 feet AGL with left turns
- B800 feet AGL with right turns
- C1,500 feet AGL with right turns
- D1,000 feet AGL with left turns
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 1,000 feet AGL with left turns
The standard traffic pattern altitude for light single-engine aircraft, absent other published guidance, is 1,000 feet above airport elevation, and the standard turn direction is to the left unless right-traffic is indicated by markings or a segmented circle.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 500 feet AGL is too low for the standard pattern altitude convention.
- B. 800 feet AGL is not a standard pattern altitude, and right turns are not the default direction.
- C. 1,500 feet AGL is too high, and right turns are not the default.
Standard Traffic Pattern
Absent other published guidance, the standard VFR traffic pattern is flown at 1,000 feet above airport elevation using left-hand turns.
- 1,000 feet AGL is the typical recommended pattern altitude for light aircraft
- Left turns are standard unless right traffic is indicated
- Segmented circles or airport publications may specify different altitudes/directions
Memory trick: 'A thousand feet, turn left, that's the pattern's best'