The Traffic Pattern
Everything you always wanted to know (and quite a lot you didn't) about the traffic pattern at regional airports...
What Is the Airport Traffic Pattern?
The airport traffic pattern is a standardized, pre-defined path that aircraft fly when arriving at or departing from an airport. Think of it as a one-way, rectangular “highway in the sky” that circles a specific runway.
The primary purpose of the traffic pattern is safety and order. By ensuring all aircraft follow a predictable path, pilots and air traffic controllers know where to expect other aircraft, which drastically reduces the risk of collisions and keeps the flow of traffic moving efficiently.
At a regional airport with Air Traffic Control (ATC), this pattern is not just a recommendation—it’s a actively managed system. The control tower (ATC) provides instructions and clearances to pilots to ensure all aircraft remain safely separated from one another. These airports typically operate within Class C or Class D airspace, which requires pilots to establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering.
