Figure 10-3. Selected airport markings. tries into traffic patterns while descending create spe- cific collision hazards and should always be avoided. pattern indicators displayed with a segmented circle  adjacent to the runway. [Figure 10-5] The short mem- ber of the L shows the direction in which the traffic  pattern turns should be made when using the runway  parallel to the long member. Check these indicators  while at a distance well away from any pattern that  might be in use, or while at a safe height well above  airport pattern altitudes. Once the proper traffic pat- tern direction has been determined, you should then  proceed to a point well clear of the pattern before de- scending to the pattern altitude. The entry leg should be of sufficient length to provide  a clear view of the entire traffic pattern, and to allow  you adequate time for planning the intended path in  the pattern and the landing approach. The downwind leg is a course flown parallel to the  landing runway, but in a direction opposite to the in- tended landing direction. This leg should be at one- half the specified traffic pattern altitude to alleviate  conflicts with faster aircraft. During this leg, the be- fore landing check should be completed. Maintain  pattern altitude until abeam the approach end of the  landing runway. At this point, reduce power and begin  a descent. The downwind leg continues past a point  abeam the approach end of the runway to a point ap- proximately 45° from the approach end of the runway,  and a medium bank turn is made onto the base leg. When approaching an airport for landing, the traffic  pattern should be entered at a 45° angle to the down- wind leg, headed toward a point abeam of the mid- point of the runway to be used for landing. Arriving  aircraft should be at the proper traffic pattern altitude  before entering the pattern, and should stay clear of  the traffic flow until established on the entry leg. En- 10-4