Traffic pattern indicators (indicates location of base leg) Windsock Segmented circle Figure 7-2.  Traffic pattern indicators. with another aircraft that is already established on the final  approach. Pilots must not attempt an overly steep turn to final,  especially uncoordinated! If in doubt, go around. The final approach leg is a descending flightpath starting from  the completion of the base-to-final turn and extending to the  point of touchdown. This is probably the most important leg of  the entire pattern, because of the sound judgment and precision  required to accurately control the airspeed and descent angle  while approaching the intended touchdown point. 14 CFR part 91, states that aircraft, while on final approach  to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other  aircraft in flight or operating on the surface. When two or  more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of  landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of- way. Pilots should not take advantage of this rule to cut in  front of another aircraft that is on final approach to land or  to overtake that aircraft. The upwind leg is a course flown parallel to the landing  runway in the same direction as landing traffic. The upwind  leg is flown at controlled airports and after go-arounds. and to allow adequate time for planning the intended path in  the pattern and the landing approach. When necessary, the upwind leg is the part of the traffic  pattern in which the pilot will transition from the final  approach to the climb altitude to initiate a go-around. When a  safe altitude is attained, the pilot should commence a shallow  bank turn to the upwind side of the airport. This allows better  visibility of the runway for departing aircraft. The downwind leg is a course flown parallel to the landing  runway, but in a direction opposite to the intended landing  direction. This leg is flown approximately  1 ⁄ 2 to 1 mile out  from the landing runway and at the specified traffic pattern  altitude. When flying on the downwind leg, the pilot should  complete all before landing checks and extend the landing  gear if the airplane is equipped with retractable landing  gear. Pattern altitude is maintained until at least abeam the  approach end of the landing runway. At this point, the pilot  should reduce power and begin a descent. The pilot should  continue the downwind leg past a point abeam the approach  end of the runway to a point approximately 45° from the  approach end of the runway, and make a medium bank turn  onto the base leg. Pilots should consider tailwinds and not  descend too much on the downwind, so as to have a very  low base leg altitude. The departure leg of the rectangular pattern is a straight course  aligned with, and leading from, the takeoff runway. This leg  begins at the point the airplane leaves the ground and continues  until the pilot begins the 90° turn onto the crosswind leg. On the departure leg after takeoff, the pilot should continue  climbing straight ahead and, if remaining in the traffic  pattern, commence a turn to the crosswind leg beyond the  departure end of the runway within 300 feet of the traffic  pattern altitude. If departing the traffic pattern, the pilot  should continue straight out or exit with a 45° turn (to the  left when in a left-hand traffic pattern; to the right when in  a right-hand traffic pattern) beyond the departure end of the  runway after reaching the traffic pattern altitude. The base leg is the transitional part of the traffic pattern  between the downwind leg and the final approach leg.  Depending on the wind condition, the pilot should establish  the base leg at a sufficient distance from the approach end  of the landing runway to permit a gradual descent to the  intended touchdown point. The ground track of the airplane  while on the base leg is perpendicular to the extended  centerline of the landing runway, although the longitudinal  axis of the airplane may not be aligned with the ground track  when it is necessary to turn into the wind to counteract drift.  While on the base leg, the pilot must ensure, before turning  onto the final approach, that there is no danger of colliding  The crosswind leg is the part of the rectangular pattern that  is horizontally perpendicular to the extended centerline of  the takeoff runway. The pilot should enter the crosswind  leg by making approximately a 90° turn from the upwind  leg. The pilot should continue on the crosswind leg, to the  downwind leg position. 7-4