Definition
The turn from the base leg of the airport traffic pattern onto the final approach leg, aligning the airplane with the runway centerline for landing. It is typically a 90-degree turn flown at low altitude and reduced airspeed, and is recognized as one of the higher-risk maneuvers in the pattern due to the potential for overshooting the runway centerline and the temptation to tighten the turn with rudder.
Plain English
The turn that takes you from flying across the end of the runway onto the straight-in path lined up with the runway, ready to land.
Context Anchor
You encounter this term when flying or studying the airport traffic pattern, especially while setting up the airplane for landing.
Why Pilots Care
A well-flown base-to-final turn produces a stable final approach; a rushed or uncoordinated one can cause runway overshoot, excessive bank, or loss of airspeed close to the ground.
Intuition Check
Do not read “final” as meaning the landing is certain. In this phrase, “final” means the traffic-pattern leg lined up with the runway for landing.
Example Sentence 1
A gust from the right pushed the airplane wide on base, so the pilot extended the leg slightly rather than steepening the base-to-final turn.
Example Sentence 2
A steep or uncoordinated base-to-final turn can lead to an overshoot or require an immediate go-around.