Traffic Pattern (Noun)
Meaning
The path that is prescribed for an airplane that is preparing to land at an airport; "the traffic patterns around O'Hare are very crowded"; "they stayed in the pattern until the fog lifted".
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- The air traffic controller instructed the pilot to follow the standard traffic pattern for landing at the busy airport.
- The flight instructor taught the student pilot how to navigate the traffic pattern at the small regional airport.
- Due to the strong winds, the pilot had to adjust the traffic pattern to ensure a safe landing.
- The airport's traffic pattern was changed temporarily to accommodate the construction of a new runway.
- The pilot stayed in the traffic pattern for over an hour, waiting for clearance to land amidst the heavy air traffic.