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CA.III.B.S2FAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Skills

Comply with recommended traffic pattern procedures.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Comply with recommended traffic pattern procedures.

Bottom line

Unless otherwise indicated, all turns in the traffic pattern must be made to the left, except for helicopters, as applicable. At nontowered airports, pilots should announce their intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) assigned to that airport.

FAA references

  1. AIM 4-3-3 (Traffic Patterns) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  2. 14 CFR 91.129 (Operations in Class D airspace.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
  3. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-2) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. AFH ch. 6 (p. 6-1) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  5. AIM 4-3-5 (Unexpected Maneuvers in the Airport Traffic Pattern) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  6. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-3) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  7. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-20) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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