What occurs during the base leg of the circuit?

During the base leg of the circuit, the aircraft positions itself for the landing approach by descending and turning onto the final approach. This is a critical phase of the landing procedure, where the pilot manages the aircraft's speed and altitude while aligning with the runway. The descent allows the aircraft to safely lower its altitude in preparation for landing, and the turn onto final aligns the aircraft with the centerline of the runway for a stable and controlled landing.

This phase is essential for ensuring a smooth transition from the circuit pattern into the landing approach, as it provides the pilot with time to manage the aircraft's configuration, such as extending landing gear and adjusting flaps, if necessary, prior to touchdown.

In contrast, the final ascent before landing represents a different part of the approach, while leveling off at 1,000 feet is unrelated to the base leg and would typically occur at a different stage of flight. Climbing straight ahead is not a phase of the circuit at all, as the base leg is focused on descent and alignment for landing, not climbing.