FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A pilot plans to land at an unfamiliar non-towered airport. The Chart Supplement lists no specific traffic pattern altitude for the airport. In the absence of any other published guidance, what traffic pattern altitude should the pilot use for a light single-engine airplane?
- A500 feet AGL
- B1,000 feet AGL
- C1,500 feet AGL
- D800 feet AGL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 1,000 feet AGL
The FAA-recommended standard traffic pattern altitude for light single-engine airplanes, absent other published guidance, is 1,000 feet above ground level (AOPA/AIM/Airplane Flying Handbook guidance).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 500 feet AGL is too low and would place the pattern well below standard practice, risking conflicts.
- C. 1,500 feet AGL is commonly used by larger or turbine-powered aircraft, not light single-engine airplanes.
- D. 800 feet AGL is not a standard published pattern altitude.
Standard Traffic Pattern Altitude
The default altitude flown in the traffic pattern absent other published guidance, typically 1,000 feet AGL for light single-engine airplanes.
- 1,000 ft AGL standard for light single-engine airplanes
- 1,500 ft AGL commonly used for larger/turbine aircraft
- Always check Chart Supplement for airport-specific TPA
Memory trick: '1,000 for a single' — standard TPA for light airplanes.