In a standard pattern, what direction are the turns?

In a standard pattern, what direction are the turns?

• A. Right
• B. Up
• C. Left
• D. Down

Answer: (C)

Standard pattern means you fly around the runway with turns to the left. This creates a predictable, rectangular loop through the legs of the pattern—upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, and final—making it easier for all pilots to see and avoid each other. Left turns are used to keep traffic flowing in a consistent direction unless a right-hand pattern is published for a specific runway. The other options don’t describe the direction of the turns in a standard pattern (they’re either not turns or describe legs of the pattern). So the turns are to the left.

Standard pattern means you fly around the runway with turns to the left. This creates a predictable, rectangular loop through the legs of the pattern—upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, and final—making it easier for all pilots to see and avoid each other. Left turns are used to keep traffic flowing in a consistent direction unless a right-hand pattern is published for a specific runway. The other options don’t describe the direction of the turns in a standard pattern (they’re either not turns or describe legs of the pattern). So the turns are to the left.