Which leg of flight does the downwind leg correspond to?

The downwind leg of a flight corresponds to the phase where the aircraft flies parallel to the landing runway but in the opposite direction. This assists pilots in aligning for their final approach and allows for a safe and orderly sequence of aircraft landing at an airport. During this leg, the pilot prepares for the descent and completion of the landing checklist, monitoring for traffic and coordinating with air traffic control.

Understanding the specific orientation of the downwind leg is crucial for safe air traffic management and helps maintain separation between arriving and departing flights. The other options depict different phases of flight that do not properly define the downwind leg's position or function with respect to the runway.