Upwind Leg


In aviation, the upwind leg is the first segment of the standard rectangular traffic pattern followed by pilots when landing an aircraft. It is flown parallel to the runway, in the opposite direction of landing, and at a distance of about 1/2 to 1 mile from the runway. The purpose of the upwind leg is to provide a clear view of the runway and to allow the pilot to configure the aircraft for landing, such as lowering the landing gear and flaps. During the upwind leg, the pilot climbs to a safe altitude and maintains a constant heading until reaching the departure end of the runway.


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