User Guide

Circuit Pattern
The obvious conclusion is that whenever you’re landing in an unfamiliar area with potential
hazards and obstructions you should always check it first. The standard technique for doing
this is to fly a ‘circuit’ [diagrams 6.9 and 6.10].
The first piece of information you need is the wind direction and if possible its strength and
gustiness. You may know this already, it may be provided for you by someone on the
ground with a radio (or a set of marker panels), or if not then you can usually observe it for
yourself by looking for drifting smoke, flags or other such clues.
The reason why wind direction is important is that you should try to land with your nose
pointing into the wind. While this is a nearly inviolable rule for fixed-wing aircraft because it
reduces speed over the ground and the length of the landing run, helicopter pilots have
more choice in the matter [see page 6.18 – Sideways]. Nevertheless, your life will be easier
if you can land facing into wind.
The wind direction (or the layout of the site) establishes the direction of your landing
approach, and the orientation of the circuit pattern. Use the downwind and base legs of the
circuit to inspect the landing area and reduce your height and speed. As you pass the
touchdown point on the downwind leg, look for visual reference points on either side which
you can use to locate yourself once the touchdown point has disappeared under your nose.
GROUND SCHOOL
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Diagram 6.9: Circuit pattern for a clear landing area