Definition
The point and path by which an aircraft joins an airport traffic pattern, typically at a 45-degree angle to the downwind leg at pattern altitude.
Plain English
How and where you fly your airplane into the rectangular flow of traffic around an airport so you blend in safely with other aircraft.
Context Anchor
Used when planning or describing how an airplane will join the airport traffic pattern.
Derivation
Entry comes from Latin intrare, meaning “to go in.” That helps here because the term is about going into an organized flow of airport traffic, not just arriving near the airport.
Why Pilots Care
A correct entry keeps the aircraft safely integrated with other traffic and prevents conflicts on downwind.
Intuition Check
Do not read “entry” as simply reaching the airport or crossing onto airport property. In this context, it means joining the traffic pattern in a planned, predictable way.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot planned a 45-degree entry to the downwind leg at pattern altitude.
Example Sentence 2
After completing the entry the student scanned for traffic before turning crosswind.