A pilot is not expected to have extensive knowledge of  all traffic patterns at all airports, but if the pilot is familiar  with the basic rectangular pattern, it is easy to make proper  approaches and departures from most airports, regardless  of whether or not they have control towers. At airports with  operating control towers, the tower operator can instruct  pilots to enter the traffic pattern at any point or to make a  straight-in approach without flying the usual rectangular  pattern. Many other deviations are possible if the tower  operator and the pilot work together in an effort to keep traffic  moving smoothly. Jets or heavy airplanes will frequently  fly wider and/or higher patterns than lighter airplanes, and  in many cases, will make a straight-in approach for landing. Just as roads and streets are essential for operating  automobiles, airports or airstrips are essential for operating  airplanes. Every flight begins and ends at an airport or other  suitable landing field; therefore, it is essential that pilots learn  the traffic rules, traffic procedures, and traffic pattern layouts  that may be in use at various airports. Compliance with the basic rectangular traffic pattern reduces  the possibility of conflicts at airports without an operating  control tower. It is imperative that a pilot form the habit of  exercising constant vigilance in the vicinity of airports even  when the air traffic appears to be light. Midair collisions  usually occur on clear days with unlimited visibility. Never  assume you have found all of the air traffic and stop scanning. Control towers and radar facilities provide a means of  adjusting the flow of arriving and departing aircraft and  render assistance to pilots in busy terminal areas. Airport  lighting and runway marking systems are used frequently to  alert pilots to abnormal conditions and hazards so arrivals  and departures can be made safely. Figure 7-1  shows a standard rectangular traffic pattern.  The traffic pattern altitude is usually 1,000 feet above the  elevation of the airport surface. The use of a common altitude  at a given airport is the key factor in minimizing the risk of  collisions at airports without operating control towers. When operating in the traffic pattern at an airport without an  operating control tower, the pilot should maintain an airspeed  of no more than 200 knots (230 miles per hour (mph)) as  required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14  CFR) part 91. In any case, the pilot should adjust the airspeed,  when necessary, so that it is compatible with the airspeed of  the other airplanes in the pattern. Airports vary in complexity from small grass or sod strips  to major terminals with paved runways and taxiways.  Regardless of the type of airport, a pilot must know and abide  by the rules and general operating procedures applicable to  the airport being used. The objective is to keep air traffic  moving with maximum safety and efficiency. Information  on traffic patterns and operating procedures for an airport  is documented in the Chart Supplements, as well as visual  markings on the airport itself. The use of any traffic  pattern, service, or procedure does not diminish the pilot’s  responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft during flight. When an automobile is driven on congested city streets, it  can be brought to a stop to give way to conflicting traffic;  however, an airplane can only speed up, climb, descend, and be  slowed down. Consequently, traffic patterns and traffic control  procedures have been established for use at airports. Traffic  patterns provide procedures for takeoffs, departures, arrivals,  and landings. The exact nature of each airport traffic pattern  is dependent on the runway in use, wind conditions (which  determine the runway in use), obstructions, and other factors. When entering the traffic pattern at an airport without an  operating control tower, inbound pilots are expected to  observe other aircraft already in the pattern and to conform to  the traffic pattern in use. If there are no other aircraft present,  the pilot should check traffic indicators on the ground and  wind indicators to determine which runway and traffic pattern  direction to use.  [Figure 7-2]  Many airports have L-shaped  traffic pattern indicators displayed with a segmented circle  adjacent to the runway. The short member of the L shows  the direction in which the traffic pattern turns are made  when using the runway parallel to the long member. The  pilot should check the indicators from a distance or altitude  well away from any other airplanes that may be flying in the  traffic pattern. Upon identifying the proper traffic pattern,  the pilot should enter into the traffic pattern at a point well  clear of the other airplanes. To assure that air traffic flows into and out of an airport in an  orderly manner, an airport traffic pattern is established based  on the local conditions, to include the direction and altitude  of the pattern and the procedures for entering and leaving the  pattern. Unless the airport displays approved visual markings  indicating that turns should be made to the right, the pilot  should make all turns in the pattern to the left. When operating at an airport with an operating control tower,  the pilot receives a clearance to approach or depart, as well  as pertinent information about the traffic pattern by radio. If  there is not a control tower, it is the pilot’s responsibility to  determine the direction of the traffic pattern, to comply with  the appropriate traffic rules, and to display common courtesy  toward other pilots operating in the area. 7-2 Standard Airport Traffic Patterns Airport Traffic Patterns and Operations