Definition
The third turn flown in a rectangular traffic pattern, transitioning the airplane from the downwind leg (flown parallel to and in the same direction as the wind) onto the crosswind leg (flown perpendicular to the wind). Because the airplane begins this turn with a tailwind and finishes it with a direct crosswind, the groundspeed is highest at the start of the turn and the wind tends to push the airplane away from the field. To track a square ground path, the pilot must use the steepest bank of the four pattern turns and roll out with a wind correction angle into the wind on the new leg.
Plain English
It is the turn you make at the end of the leg flown with the wind behind you, onto the next leg where the wind hits you from the side. Because the wind is pushing you fastest and trying to carry you wide, this turn needs the steepest bank of the four corners.
Context Anchor
Practiced during the rectangular course ground reference maneuver, especially when learning how wind changes the shape of a turn over the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Correct execution keeps the aircraft at the proper distance from the runway or reference area and prepares the pilot for consistent traffic-pattern turns.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane moving quickly with wind from behind, then turning a corner where that same wind starts pushing from the side.
Intuition Check
Downwind does not mean a place below the wind; it means flying in the same direction the wind is blowing. Crosswind does not just mean windy conditions; it means the wind is coming from the side of the airplane’s path.
Example Sentence 1
On the downwind to crosswind turn, the student rolled into a steeper bank than on the previous turn to keep from being blown wide of the intended ground track.
Example Sentence 2
After completing the downwind to crosswind turn, the pilot checked the ground track and adjusted bank as needed to keep the next leg perfectly perpendicular to the previous one.