Once airborne, talking with Air Traffic Control is essential to know where they want you to be in relation to other traffic in the area.

They also give reports on weather conditions, airport conditions, traffic, and any other issues you may need to be aware about.

Once airborne (staying near the airport):

• If not specified, ask whether they want you on left- or right-hand traffic
• Once cleared to turn (Left or right) you are now on the “crosswind” leg
• After a short distance and no traffic is observed, a turn is made in the downwind leg
• About mid-field you request a landing clearance
  • “Tower, Cessna N123 is left midfield request full stop on runway 18”
  • Tower: “Cessna N123 you are cleared to land”
  • “Cessna N123 is cleared to land”
    • Repeating what is instructed is important to prevent confusion
• Then as you slow down and descend, you start the base turn
• The last turn is called the final
• The last part is to land the plane