Joining An Aerodrome Circuit

3/20/2022 Joining an aerodrome circuit - IVAO - International Virtual Aviation Organisation
JOINING AN AERODROME CIRCUIT
INTRODUCTION
A procedure has been adopted for any light aircraft approaching to land at an airfield. This procedure
is joining the standard aerodrome traffic circuit and is adopted by convention rather than laid down by
regulation. There is no standardized manner to join the aerodrome circuit. This document will present
you a basic integration manner extracted from several countries regulations all around the world.
The circuit requires that an aircraft should track over at least three legs of a rectangular course
aligned with the runway or landing strip which is most into-wind, except when the air traffic controller
gives a straight-in approach or an indirect approach clearance.
These 3 legs are:
Downwind leg
Base leg
Final leg
The reader of this document must know the basics of an aerodrome circuit construction.
BASIC SECURITY RULES

Operating on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome requires the pilot to observe other traffic for the
purpose of avoiding collision and, unless instructed by ATC, conform with or avoid the aerodrome
traffic circuit formed by other aircraft.
The standard overhead joining procedure is a recommended means of complying with this rule, by
being 500 feet to 1000ft above aerodrome traffic pattern altitude and then sequencing
appropriately.
Pay attention that some national regulations require 500ft minimum but others shall require 1000ft
minimum above aerodrome traffic circuit. Please consult you national regulations in order to have the
adequate altitude.
This procedure gives the opportunity to carefully check the airfield area, the air sock and boundaries for
hazards – animals, power lines and other wires, ditches, obstructions - and to ascertain the whereabouts
of other traffic in, or joining, the circuit and to be seen by them.
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If the circuit altitude is not published, or not known by the pilot, the pilot must take 1000ft AGL as
standard altitude for his aerodrome circuit.
JOINING THE CIRCUIT ON NON-CONTROLLED

AIRFIELD
AIRCRAFT ARRIVING AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT – STANDARD
In this configuration, the pilot is at the opposite side of the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the
runway or airfield; he will cross the runway axis before the circuit. Remember that the altitude taken must
be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic circuit altitude (take 1500ft AGL as traffic circuit altitude if
there is no published pattern altitude).
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 180° turn outside the
runway if possible, and then follows a parallel track outside the runway axis and at the opposite side of the
circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit.
When the runway is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must
descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can join the beginning of the
downwind leg.
AIRCRAFT ARRIVING AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT – 45°

PROCEDURE
In this configuration, the pilot is at the opposite side of the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the
runway or airfield; he will cross the runway axis before the circuit. Remember that the altitude taken must
be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic pattern altitude or 1500ft AGL if there is no published
pattern altitude.
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 45° turn inside the
aerodrome circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit. The 45° turn must be
done in the direction of the beginning of the downwind leg.
When the beginning of the downwind leg is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the
circuit, the pilot must descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can join
the beginning or the middle of the downwind leg.
AIRCRAFT INSIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BEFORE AIRFIELD OVERHEAD –

STANDARD
In this configuration, the pilot will join the overhead inside the circuit pattern and flies directly overhead the
runway or airfield. Remember that the altitude taken must be 500 to 1000 feet above aerodrome traffic
pattern altitude or 1500ft AGL if there is no published pattern altitude.
When overhead, the pilot shall not join the downwind directly. The pilot must do a 90° turn outside the
runway if possible, and then follows a parallel track outside the runway axis and at the opposite side of the
circuit in order to let traffic perform their flight in the aerodrome circuit.
When the runway is behind the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must
descend to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can now join the beginning of
the downwind leg.
AIRCRAFT INSIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BEFORE AIRFIELD OVERHEAD – 45°/90°

PROCEDURE
The runway is in front of the aircraft and in function of nearby traffic in the circuit, the pilot must descend
to the aerodrome circuit altitude in function of traffic and can now join the middle of the
downwind. The integration can be at the middle of the downwind using a 45° or 90° angle.
This 45° integration type can be the default integration manner in some countries (like in the USA).
JOINING THE CIRCUIT AT CONTROLLED

AIRFIELDS
At controlled airfields, the pilot should follow the instructions of the air traffic controller.
As a pilot, you must call the air traffic controller 2 minutes before joining the aerodrome circuit. The
air traffic controller can instruct you to join the aerodrome circuit everywhere, even if not published.
The air traffic controller can give you one of the integration solutions shown on the image below.
SEE ALSO
None
REFERENCE
None
AUTHOR
VID 150259 - Creation
VID 450012 - Wiki Integration
DATE OF SUBMISSION
19:43, 16 February 2022
COPYRIGHT
This documentation is copyrighted as part of the intellectual property of the International Virtual
Aviation Organisation.
DISCLAIMER
The content of this documentation is intended for aviation simulation only and must not be used for
real aviation operations.

Joining An Aerodrome Circuit

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3/20/2022 Joining an aerodrome circuit - IVAO - International Virtual Aviation Organisation

JOINING AN AERODROME CIRCUIT

These 3 legs are:

BASIC SECURITY RULES

JOINING THE CIRCUIT ON NON-CONTROLLED

AIRCRAFT ARRIVING AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT – 45°

AIRCRAFT INSIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BEFORE AIRFIELD OVERHEAD –

AIRCRAFT INSIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BEFORE AIRFIELD OVERHEAD – 45°/90°

JOINING THE CIRCUIT AT CONTROLLED

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