Definition

Noun: 1. A prescribed path for aircraft preparing to land or taking off from an airport: A standard, often rectangular, course in the airspace around an airport that aircraft follow to ensure safe and orderly operations. This is also commonly called an "air traffic pattern" or "circuit." 2. (Less common) The typical flow or movement of vehicles along roads: The regular or established routes and behaviors of cars and other vehicles in a given area.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Aviation):
  • The student pilot practiced three takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern.
  • The tower controller instructed the Cessna to enter the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for Runway 27.
  • During busy times, aircraft may have to hold their position in the traffic pattern before receiving clearance to land.
• Noun (Vehicular):
  • The new shopping center has disrupted the local traffic pattern, causing congestion on side streets.

Advanced Usage

• "To enter the pattern": For an aircraft to join the standard traffic flow at an airport.
  • Cessna 123AB, enter left traffic for Runway 15, report entering the pattern.
• "To fly a tight pattern": To fly the rectangular course closer to the runway, making a shorter circuit.
• "To break the pattern": To deviate from the standard flight path, often for safety or operational reasons.

Variants and Related Words

• Air traffic pattern (n): The full, more formal term for the aviation meaning.
• Circuit (n): A common synonym, especially in British and Commonwealth aviation terminology.
• Traffic flow (n): A more general term for the movement of vehicles, often used instead of "traffic pattern" in ground transportation contexts.

Synonyms

• (Aviation): Circuit, flight pattern, landing pattern.
• (Vehicular): Traffic flow, circulation pattern, movement pattern.

Related Phrases

• Pattern altitude: The specified altitude (usually 1,000 feet above ground level) at which aircraft fly the traffic pattern.
• Pattern legs: The specific segments of the rectangular pattern (e.g., upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, final).
• Left-hand/Right-hand pattern: Specifies the direction of the turns (left or right) within the circuit.

Noun

1. the path that is prescribed for an airplane that is preparing to land at an airport
   • the traffic patterns around O'Hare are very crowded
   • they stayed in the pattern until the fog lifted