Aviation glossary

What is Circuit?

The circuit is the standard rectangular pattern flown around a runway for take-off and landing, used heavily in training.

The circuit (or "traffic pattern") is the rectangular path flown around an active runway, made up of the take-off/upwind, crosswind, downwind, base and final legs. It provides an orderly flow of aircraft taking off and landing.

Circuits are the bread and butter of early flight training, where students practise take-offs and landings repeatedly. Circuit height is often flown on QFE so it can be read directly.

Related terms

QFEQFE is the altimeter pressure setting that makes the altimeter read height above a specific datum, usually the aerodrome, so it reads zero on the ground there.Nav exA nav ex (navigation exercise) is a cross-country training flight where the student plans and flies a route between aerodromes.GSTThe GST (General Skill Test) is the practical flight test a student passes with an examiner to qualify for a licence such as the PPL.

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