Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 31, 2026

Traffic pattern indicator

In aviation, a traffic pattern indicator is an L-shaped device which show the airfield traffic pattern to the in-flight aircraft over an aerodrome. The short arm of the "L" represents the base leg, and the long arm the final approach. If no segmented circle is installed, traffic pattern indicators may be installed on or near runway ends.

Last revised
May 31, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
L-shaped traffic pattern indicators are part of the segmented circle, a visual indicator system designed to provide traffic pattern information.1 source ↗

In aviation, a traffic pattern indicator is an L-shaped device which show the airfield traffic pattern to the in-flight aircraft over an aerodrome.2 The short arm of the "L" represents the base leg, and the long arm the final approach.3 If no segmented circle is installed, traffic pattern indicators may be installed on or near runway ends.4

References

References

  1. "Chapter 14: Airport Operations". Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C ed.). Federal Aviation Administration. 2023. p. 20. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20.
  2. United States. Flight Standards Service. Airman Testing Standards Branch. (2007). Airplane Flying Handbook. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-003-4.
  3. Winters, Karl (2018). "How to Interpret Segmented Circles". Gleim Aviation. Gleim Publications Inc. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  4. "Section 3. Airport Operations". Federal Aviation Administration. p. 4-3-4.b.5. Retrieved 11 January 2024.