CA.III.B.S4FAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Skills

Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use.

Bottom line

Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam approach end of the landing runway on downwind leg. Complete turn to final at least 1/4 mile from the runway.

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. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-20) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  3. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-28) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. 14 CFR 91.113 (Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
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