When To Turn Crosswind In The Pattern

Turning Crosswind. Have you ever been in closed traffic (entering the traffic pattern after a takeoff or touch-and-go) and wondered when is the appropriate time for you to turn crosswind? After all, you are a good citizen-pilot and want to remain predictable to other aircraft and controllers (if at a towered field). You also don’t want to waste time flying super-long upwind legs, nor do you want to turn low over the golf course houses off the departure end and incite angry calls to the airport manager.

The FAA’s answer is found in both the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and AC 90-66C. If remaining in the traffic pattern, turn crosswind once you are both: (1) within 300’ of traffic pattern altitude, and (2) beyond the runway’s departure end. It’s that simple.

Radio Work. If you want to simplify everyone’s radio lives when communicating intentions to remain in the traffic pattern—whether on CTAF or with controllers—then simply state your departure intentions as “closed traffic.” Example:

“Lawrence Tower, Arrow 1234 holding short of runway five for departure, closed traffic.”

Or on CTAF:

“Minute Man Traffic, Arrow 1234 departing runway seven, closed traffic, Minute Man.”

That will get it done accurately, briefly, and clearly.

-APA