Why is it called base leg?

[RyanB]

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?

 

[Jim Logajan]

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?

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.