In a standard circuit, which leg is immediately before the Final Approach Leg?

In a standard circuit, which leg is immediately before the Final Approach Leg?

• A. Downwind Leg
• B. Crosswind
• C. Base Leg
• D. Upwind Leg

Answer: (C)

In a standard circuit around a runway, the legs follow a roughly rectangular path: upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, then final. The leg immediately before the final approach is the base leg because it is the turning segment that positions you from the downwind, perpendicular to the runway, onto the final approach path. The base leg sets up the alignment and descent toward the runway, so you can smoothly transition onto the final approach. The upwind leg builds altitude while moving with the wind; the crosswind leg takes you across the wind; the downwind leg runs parallel to the runway in the opposite direction of landing. Therefore, the base leg is the one that comes right before the final.

In a standard circuit around a runway, the legs follow a roughly rectangular path: upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, then final. The leg immediately before the final approach is the base leg because it is the turning segment that positions you from the downwind, perpendicular to the runway, onto the final approach path. The base leg sets up the alignment and descent toward the runway, so you can smoothly transition onto the final approach. The upwind leg builds altitude while moving with the wind; the crosswind leg takes you across the wind; the downwind leg runs parallel to the runway in the opposite direction of landing. Therefore, the base leg is the one that comes right before the final.