Touchdown point Entry leg Downwind leg Final approach Base leg Initial point (IP) Final approach Base leg Downwind leg Entry leg Touchdown point Initial point (IP) 45° Factors that determine the turn point for the base leg:  Glide ratio, wind components, and airspeed. Figure 7-26.  Traffic pattern. maintain the recommended approach airspeed established by  the manufacturer. If no approach speed is recommended by  the manufacturer, use 1.5 V$_{SO}$. Establishing a proper pattern  entry and normal approach speed is a foundation for a good  approach to landing. During the entry into the traffic pattern,  pilots need to ensure that the glider is in trim and keep the  yaw string straight during these turns while maneuvering in  the traffic pattern at all times. Strong crosswinds, tailwinds, or high sink rates that are  encountered in the traffic pattern require the pilot to modify  the individual pattern leg (downwind, base, or final) and to  adjust the approach speed as appropriate. It is recommended  that half of the gust factor be added to the normal approach  speed to compensate for wind gusts and sink. A strong  tailwind or headwind requires a respective shortening or  lengthening of the leg. A sudden encounter with a high sink  rate may require the pilot to turn toward the landing area  sooner than normal. The pilot should not conduct a 360° turn  once established on the downwind leg. Throughout the traffic  pattern, the pilot should be constantly aware of the approach  speed and plan ahead by keeping the glider in trim and the  yaw string straight. When at an appropriate distance from the IP, the pilot should  maneuver the glider to enter the downwind leg. The distance  for a normal pattern from downwind leg to the landing area  should be approximately one quarter to one half of a mile.  Of course, this depends on current conditions and the type of  glider. This varies at different locations. On the downwind  leg, the glider should descend to arrive abeam the touchdown  point at an altitude between 500 and 600 feet AGL. On the  downwind leg, the groundspeed is higher if a tailwind is  present. The pilot should use the spoilers/dive brakes as  7-23