PA.III.B.S5FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Skills

Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.

Bottom line

Enter the pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway, at pattern altitude. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam the approach end of the landing runway on the downwind leg. Pilots can obtain the traffic pattern altitude for an airport from the Chart Supplement U.S.

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-20) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. AIM 4-3-3 (Traffic Patterns) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  3. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-2) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. 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)
  5. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-3) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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