AIM ¶ 4-3-3 — Airport Traffic Patterns
AIM 4-3-3 explains recommended traffic pattern altitudes, entries, turns, and right-pattern indicators. Study guide for pilot students prepping checkrides.
In Plain English
AIM 4-3-3 lays out the FAA's recommended traffic pattern procedures at non-towered airports. Although the AIM is non-regulatory, pilots are expected to follow these practices unless the Chart Supplement publishes a different altitude or cloud clearance rules force a deviation.
Recommended pattern altitudes:
- Propeller aircraft: 1,000 ft AGL
- Large/turbine aircraft: at least 1,500 ft AGL or 500 ft above established TPA
- Helicopters: about 500 ft AGL, often opposite the fixed-wing flow
Key procedures:
- Enter level, abeam the midpoint of the runway at pattern altitude
- Hold TPA until abeam the approach end on downwind
- Complete the turn to final at least ¼ mile from the runway
- Crosswind turn begins beyond the departure end, within 300 ft of TPA
- Depart straight out or with a 45° turn in the pattern direction after reaching TPA
All turns are to the left unless "RP" (Right Pattern) is shown next to the runway number on the sectional. Right traffic isn't depicted at airports with full-time towers. Pilots flying straight-in approaches must not disrupt pattern traffic, and pattern pilots must watch for them.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 4-3-3It is recommended that aircraft enter the airport traffic pattern at one of the following altitudes listed below. These altitudes should be maintained unless another traffic pattern altitude is published in the Chart Supplement or unless otherwise required by the applicable distance from cloud criteria (14 CFR section 91.155). (See FIG 4-3-2 and FIG 4-3-3 ): Propeller-driven aircraft enter the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL). Large and turbine-powered aircraft enter the traffic pattern at an altitude of not less than 1,500 feet AGL or 500 feet above the established pattern altitude. Helicopters operating in the traffic pattern may fly a pattern similar to the fixed-wing aircraft pattern, but at a lower altitude (500 AGL) and closer to the runway. This pattern may be on the opposite side of the runway from fixed-wing traffic when airspeed requires or for practice power-off landings (autorotation) and if local policy permits. Landings not to the runway must avoid the flow of fixed wing traffic. A pilot may vary the size of the traffic pattern depending on the aircraft's performance characteristics. Pilots of en route aircraft should be constantly alert for aircraft in traffic patterns and avoid these areas whenever possible. Unless otherwise indicated, all turns in the traffic pattern must be made to the left, except for helicopters, as applicable. On Sectional, Aeronautical, and VFR Terminal Area Charts, right traffic patterns are indicated at public-use and joint-use airports with the abbreviation “RP” (for Right Pattern), followed by the appropriate runway number(s) at the bottom of the airport data block. 2. *RP indicates special conditions exist and refers pilots to the Chart Supplement. 3. Right traffic patterns are not shown at airports with full-time control towers. Wind conditions affect all airplanes in varying degrees. Figure 4-3-4 is an example of a chart used to determine the headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components based on wind direction and velocity relative to the runway. Pilots should refer to similar information provided by the aircraft manufacturer when determining these wind components. FIG 4-3-2 Traffic Pattern Operations Single Runway FIG 4-3-3 Traffic Pattern Operations Parallel Runways FIG 4-3-4 Headwind/Tailwind/Crosswind Component Calculator
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is the recommended traffic pattern altitude for a propeller-driven aircraft, and where would you find an exception?
Per AIM 4-3-3, propeller-driven aircraft should enter the traffic pattern at 1,000 feet AGL. A different TPA may be published in the Chart Supplement, or cloud clearance requirements under 14 CFR 91.155 may require deviation.
Q2How are right-hand traffic patterns indicated on a sectional chart?
Per AIM 4-3-3, right traffic is shown on Sectional, Aeronautical, and VFR Terminal Area Charts with the abbreviation 'RP' followed by the runway number(s) at the bottom of the airport data block — for example, 'RP 9, 18, 22R.' Right patterns are not shown at airports with full-time control towers.
Q3Describe the proper entry and downwind procedure for a non-towered traffic pattern.
Per AIM 4-3-3 and FIG 4-3-2, enter the pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. Maintain TPA on downwind until abeam the approach end of the landing runway, then complete the turn to final at least ¼ mile from the runway.
Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4
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