Mxsmanic wrote:

Where on the Web can I learn more about flying traffic patterns? I
see constant references to them in various sources, but nothing that
explains exactly when they are used, and how.


well, at least as far as things happen on this side of the pond,
you'll find plenty to read he

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-H-8083-25 Revised 2003;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...ilot_handbook/
Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3 Revised 1999;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...lane_handbook/

And there is plenty more where it comes from; for instance I
understand that you are a simmer, so may be would you also be
interested in reading a bit about instrument flying as well:

Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15 Revised 2001;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...ying_handbook/
Instrument Procedures Handbook FAA-H-8261-1 Revised 2004;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...ures_handbook/

But you'll also find the handbooks for flying helicopters or gliders or
balloons, etc.

And finally, lots of goodies to be found in the regulations (you
might want to start with Chapters 1, 61 and 91 of the regulations,
and read pretty much everything in the AIM):

2005 14 CFR (FAR) and AIM;
http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...a_regulations/

--Sylvain