Traffic Patterns Aircraft approaching a runway for landing follow a pattern. In most cases, the pattern is a rectangular box with the pilot making all turns to the left. In a few cases, airports will use right traffic patterns. Remember that some aircraft that are not equipped with radios will be operating at nontowered airports, so always visually scan for traffic. Before you cross a runway, make sure the aircraft has exited the runway or has gone past you.
Extra vigilance is key at nontowered airports.
Aircraft do not have to communicate or announce their position in the pattern or on the surface. Some aircraft don't have radios. You can be lulled into complacency at nontowered airports because they usually aren't very busy, hence they don't justify a control tower. If you are used to not seeing any other traffic, don't expect this to always be the case. Sometimes the runway gradient makes it impossible to see the entire length of the runway and an aircraft can suddenly appear when you are crossing.