Instructing should be all about getting the best possible outcome for the student and if this requires making life a little easier for a few ccts by either taking some of the load yourself (ie radio calls, perhaps) or allowing the circuit to widen a LITTLE, then within the bounds of good airmanship, this should be done. What is the most important thing though is that good AIRMANSHIP be maintained - no infringing adjoining airspace, no 747 ccts in a Grob with a C310 up your clacker and no stuffing around when there are 6 other aircraft in the pattern. And of course if the student is finding the cct, whether pre-solo or on conversion to a quicker a/c, too much to handle give them a break and avoid rush hour! If all else fails and you're at a controlled field a polite call to the tower along the lines of 'Tower, ABC, confirm I am number 2 to the a/c on a WIDE downwind 23?' Then you have alerted the controller to the developing situation and if they deem it necessary can intervene. If they think it's still okay either live with it or request an early turn after take off to get ahead of the preceding a/c. Happy Landings J.
PS. class-e, I'm sure you would have done so anyway, but always make sure that if you are questioning a colleague that it is done in the right place ie. in private - NO STUDENTS in the area or at a standardisation meeting. And learn from your friends mistake and when a sprog with 1/7th your experience questions your actions keep off the defensive and be gracious!(It will happen!
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[This message has been edited by Jatz (edited 12 December 1999).]