Which statement describes the departure leg?

Which statement describes the departure leg?

• A. A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its approach end and extending from the downwind leg to the intersection of the extended runway centerline.
• B. A flight path parallel to the landing runway.
• C. A flight path along the extended runway centerline from the base leg to the runway.
• D. The flight path which begins after takeoff and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline.

Answer: (D)

The departure leg is the straight-ahead climb path you follow after takeoff, staying on the extended runway centerline until you reach a safe altitude to maneuver. This path keeps you aligned with the runway right from liftoff and helps ensure obstacle clearance and orderly traffic flow as you begin your departure. The statement that describes this best says the flight path begins after takeoff and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline. That captures the essence of the departure leg exactly. Other statements describe different legs of the landing pattern: a path parallel to the runway corresponds to the downwind leg; a path along the extended runway centerline from the base leg to the runway describes the final approach segment; and a path at right angles to the runway off the approach end describes a crosswind or base leg near the approach area rather than the post-takeoff departure path.

The departure leg is the straight-ahead climb path you follow after takeoff, staying on the extended runway centerline until you reach a safe altitude to maneuver. This path keeps you aligned with the runway right from liftoff and helps ensure obstacle clearance and orderly traffic flow as you begin your departure.

The statement that describes this best says the flight path begins after takeoff and continues straight ahead along the extended runway centerline. That captures the essence of the departure leg exactly.

Other statements describe different legs of the landing pattern: a path parallel to the runway corresponds to the downwind leg; a path along the extended runway centerline from the base leg to the runway describes the final approach segment; and a path at right angles to the runway off the approach end describes a crosswind or base leg near the approach area rather than the post-takeoff departure path.