A normal airplane traffic pattern is rectangular, has five named  legs, and a designated altitude, usually 1,000 feet AGL. While  flying the traffic pattern, pilots should always keep in mind  noise abatement rules and flying friendly to avoid dwellings  and livestock. A pattern in which all turns are to the left is  called a standard pattern.  [Figure 9-18]  The takeoff leg (item  1) normally consists of the aircraft’s flightpath after takeoff.  This leg is also called the departure leg. Turn to the crosswind  leg (item 2) after passing the departure end of the runway when  at a safe altitude. Fly the downwind leg (item 3) parallel to the  runway at the designated traffic pattern altitude and distance  from the runway. Begin the base leg (item 4) at a point selected  according to other traffic and wind conditions. If the wind is  very strong, begin the turn sooner than normal. If the wind  is light, delay the turn to base. The final approach (item 5)  is the path the aircraft flies immediately prior to touchdown. Flying a fixed wing traffic pattern at 1,000 feet AGL upon  the request of ATC should not be a problem for a helicopter  unless conducting specific maneuvers that require specific  altitudes. There are variations at different localities and at  airports with operating control towers. For example, ATC  may have airplanes in a left turn pattern (as airplane pilots  are usually seated in the left), seat and a right turn pattern for  helicopters (as those pilots are usually in the right seat). This  arrangement affords the best view from each of the respective  cockpits. Always consult the Airport/Facility Directory for  the traffic pattern procedures at your airport/heliport. When approaching an airport with an operating control tower  in a helicopter, it is possible to expedite traffic by stating  intentions. The communication consists of: To avoid the flow of fixed-wing traffic, the tower often  clears direct to an approach point or to a particular runway  intersection nearest the destination point. At uncontrolled  airports, if at all possible, adhere to standard practices and  patterns. Traffic pattern entry procedures at an airport with an operating  control tower are specified by the controller. At uncontrolled  airports, traffic pattern altitudes and entry procedures may  vary according to established local procedures. Helicopter  pilots should be aware of the standard airplane traffic  pattern and avoid it. Generally, helicopters make a lower  altitude pattern opposite from the fixed wing pattern and  make their approaches to some point other than the runway  in use by the fixed wing traffic. Chapter 7 of the Airplane  flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3 discusses this in greater  An approach is the transition from traffic pattern altitude  to either a hover or to the surface. The approach should  As the helicopter nears the final approach path, the turn to  final should be made considering winds and obstructions.  Depending on obstructions and forced landing areas, the final  approach may need to be accomplished from as high as 500  feet AGL. The landing area should always be in sight and  the angle of approach should never be too high (indicating  that the base leg is too close) to the landing area or too low  (indicating that the landing area is too far away).  A helicopter traffic pattern is flown at 500-1,000 feet AGL  depending on considerations such as terrain, obstacles, and  other aircraft traffic.  [Figure 9-19]  This keeps the helicopter  out of the flow of fixed-wing traffic. A helicopter may take  off from a helipad into the wind with a turn to the right after  300 feet AGL or as needed to be in range of forced landing  areas. When 500 feet AGL is attained, a right turn to parallel  the takeoff path is made for the downwind. Then, as the  intended landing point is about 45 degrees behind the abeam  position of the helicopter, a right turn is made, and a descent  is begun from downwind altitude to approximately 300 feet  AGL for a base leg.  The standard departure procedure when using the fixed- wing traffic pattern is usually a straight-out, downwind, or  right-hand departure. When a control tower is in operation,  request the type of departure desired. In most cases, helicopter  departures are made into the wind unless obstacles or traffic  dictate otherwise. At airports without an operating control  tower, comply with the departure procedures established for  that airport, if any. detail. For information concerning traffic pattern and landing  direction, utilize airport advisory service or UNICOM, when  available. 1.  The helicopter’s call sign, “Helicopter 8340J.” 2.  The helicopter’s position, “10 miles west.” 3.  The “request for landing and hover to ...” Approaches Figure 9-19.  A standard helicopter traffic pattern consists of right  turns, has 5 designated legs, and is flown at 500' AGL.  9-18 27 Takeoff leg (into the wind) 1 Final approach leg 5 Crosswind leg 2 Base leg 4 Downwind leg 3 Wind