6.2 Runways and Traffic Patterns - Practice Questions

A pilot is using Runway 22 to take off. Which direction is the airplane headed?

• Southeast

• Southwest

• Northeast

Answer explanation

Runway 22 is positioned toward 220 degrees, meaning that when airplanes are taking off or landing, they're doing so at a heading of 220 degrees. When looking at a compass, a heading of 220 degrees is southwest.

If a pilot is landing an airplane on a northwest heading, what could the Runway number be?

• 04

• 14

• 32

Answer explanation

If a pilot is landing an airplane on a northwest heading, that means that the airplane is coming in on a heading of anywhere between 290 and 340 degrees. Runway 32 is the most accurate answer since it falls within that range.

What is the most common airport traffic pattern?

• Right-hand traffic pattern

• Left-hand traffic pattern

• Straight-in approach pattern

Answer explanation

The most common airport traffic pattern is the left-hand traffic pattern, where all turns are made to the left unless otherwise specified. This standardization helps pilots anticipate the movements of other aircraft, reducing the risk of collisions and ensuring smooth operations around the airport.

(Refer to FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26, area 2.) While monitoring the Cooperstown CTAF you hear an aircraft announce that they are midfield left downwind to RWY 13. Where would the aircraft be relative to the runway?

• The aircraft is East.

• The aircraft is South.

• The aircraft is West.

Answer explanation

You don’t need to reference the chart to answer this question. It’s a red herring and meant to throw you off. Runway 13 is positioned toward 130 degrees, or southeast. This means airplanes will be taking off and landing toward the southeast.

In a normal left-hand traffic pattern, if a plane is midfield left downwind RWY 13, it means that the plane is flying parallel to the runway, in the opposite direction (downwind) of the runway, so in this case 310 degrees, or northwest. If the plane is "left downwind" it means that the runway is to the plane's left. So knowing all of this, if you chart / sketch it out, the plane is to the east of the runway.

An aircraft announces, "left downwind for runway one six". This means that the aircraft is on a heading of

• 80 degrees.

• 160 degrees.

• 340 degrees.

Answer explanation

Runway 16 is positioned toward 160 degrees, meaning that when airplanes are taking off or landing, they're doing so at a heading of 160 degrees.

In a normal left-hand traffic pattern...if a plane is midfield left downwind RWY 16, it means that the plane is flying parallel to the runway, in the opposite direction (downwind) of the runway, at a heading 180-degrees opposite of the runway.

So in this case, the plane is flying 180 degrees opposite of 160 degrees, which is 340 degrees!

The recommended entry position to an airport traffic pattern is

• 45° to the base leg just below traffic pattern altitude.

• to enter 45° at the midpoint of the downwind leg at traffic pattern altitude.

• to cross directly over the airport at traffic pattern altitude and join the downwind leg.

Answer explanation

The recommended entry position to an airport traffic pattern is to enter 45° at the midpoint of the downwind leg at traffic pattern altitude.

An aircraft announces, "left downwind for runway two six". This means that the aircraft is on a heading of

• 80 degrees.

• 160 degrees.

• 340 degrees.

Answer explanation

Runway 26 is positioned toward 260 degrees, meaning that when airplanes are taking off or landing, they're doing so at a heading of 260 degrees.

In a normal left-hand traffic pattern...if a plane is midfield left downwind RWY 26, it means that the plane is flying parallel to the runway, in the opposite direction (downwind) of the runway, at a heading 180-degrees opposite of the runway.

So in this case, the plane is flying 180 degrees opposite of 260 degrees, which is 80 degrees!