In the UK for example, a standard 'overhead' join is to arrive overhead
the
airport at 1000 ft above the traffic pattern, and from that point on
make
all turns in the direction of the pattern (i.e.usually left). The
descent
to pattern altitude is made on the 'deadside' of the runway (i.e.
opposite
the pattern), and the aircraft joins the pattern on a crosswind leg at
the
upwind end of the runway.

"Jose" wrote in message
om...

So one normally crosses in front of oncoming traffic at pattern
altitude? (presumably the aircraft climbing out on takeoff hasn't yet
reached pattern altitude, but climb rates vary)

Yes, the assumption is that departing traffic will not reach TPA by the end
of the runway. That may break for longer runways, but in the UK it's rare
to have very long runways without ATC to assist.

In effect, the merging happens at the point of the turn downwind, and
joining traffic should make adjustments to the crosswind leg to fit in with
traffic already in the pattern, which will usually be heading downwind from
further upwind.

Julian