Definition
A flight path in the traffic pattern flown parallel to the landing runway, in the opposite direction of landing. It is the leg flown after the crosswind leg and before the base leg.
Plain English
The part of the airport traffic pattern where you fly alongside the runway, going the opposite way to how you'll land, with the wind pushing you from behind.
Context Anchor
Used when flying or talking about the airport traffic pattern, especially when entering, reporting, or positioning near a runway for landing.
Derivation
Named for the direction of flight relative to the wind. Since aircraft land into the wind, flying in the opposite direction means flying with the wind, or 'downwind.'
Why Pilots Care
Correct positioning and length on this leg allow proper sequencing with other traffic and set up a stabilized final approach.
Intuition Check
Do not read “downwind leg” as just any flight with wind from behind. In airport pattern use, it means the specific pattern segment parallel to the runway and opposite the landing direction.
Example Sentence 1
Tower instructed the pilot to enter a left downwind leg for runway 18.
Example Sentence 2
Extending the downwind leg gave extra time to complete the before-landing checklist before turning base.