Why is it called base leg?

I thought the FARs decreed it be named after rapper Rob Bass. You may remember, he wasn't internationally known, but he was known to rock a microphone.

Because it takes two to make a thing go right
 
tree96 said:
I thought the FARs decreed it be named after rapper Rob Bass. You may remember, he wasn't internationally known, but he was known to rock a microphone.

Because it takes two to make a thing go right
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Win! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
It used to be called the "Bass leg" because that is generally when the planes reduce power and the engine produced a lower more guttural sound with lots of bass.

That started confusing people who were pronouncing it like the fish so they altered the spelling in 1983 to clarify when written.
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SkyHog said:
Because when listening to heavy music, you're always waiting for the bass to drop. The Base Leg is where you start to reduce altitude, and therefore, you are waiting for the base to drop...
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Uh-oh, somebody just revealed that they haven't read AIM 7-3 (top-right of page)... :yikes: "Pattern altitude should be maintained until abeam the approach end of the landing runway. At this point, power should be reduced and a descent begun." Looks like somebody prefers the chop-and-drop method... lol :wink2:
 
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Ryanb said:
Just something to put out there, why do they call it "base leg"? The other terminology for pattern legs make sense like upwind,crosswind, downwind etc. but where does "base" come from?
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noun \ˈbās\ a : the starting point or line for an action or undertaking
 
I see how this all goes, no one making fun of my explanation because I am right. And this is the first annual celebration of being right. that should bring some color to the conversation if certain someone is lurking LOL
 
geneseib said:
noun \ˈbās\ a : the starting point or line for an action or undertaking
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that works, and this is the leg where all the judging(of height and crosswind drift) is supposed to take place. Based on this leg you determine where to turn final.
 
tmyers said:
I see how this all goes, no one making fun of my explanation because I am right. And this is the first annual celebration of being right. that should bring some color to the conversation if certain someone is lurking LOL
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I award you one official self-gratification. We do not need or want verification. :yikes:
 
azure said:
Of course. Great Native American mathematician, discoverer of trigonometry.

Couldn't hold a candle to Roy G. Biv though.
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Of course, but he was a student of the great CFI - NEoddSWeven.
 
azure said:
Of course. Great Native American mathematician, discoverer of trigonometry.

Couldn't hold a candle to Roy G. Biv though.
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I knew Roy. Very colorful fellow he was.
 
Ryanb said:
Just something to put out there, why do they call it "base leg"? The other terminology for pattern legs make sense like upwind,crosswind, downwind etc. but where does "base" come from?
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From the french phrase "étape de base" which (according to Google translate) means "basic step" - which of course if you want to land, it is.

If you had posted to lespilotesdelafrance.fr I'm sure you'd have gotten the answer straight-away.
 
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