Having read through this thread, there seems to be one fundamental thing missing from every single one of the postings so far.
What about LOOKOUT before turning!
Yes, we're talking about airmanship here. Flying a circuit by the numbers is OK for a basic teach in the classroom, but what about allowing for wind, talking to ATC or spacing with other aircraft? I appreciate that most of the posts have been describing the basic, classroom circuit, but come on guys (and girls), students read this BB as well!
Just for a bit of variety, how about this (Right hand) circuit for you all?
Trim forward slightly so that the aircraft begins to accelerate and continue trimming to prevent flapback. Once you reach translational lift, apply hover torque plus 15% and allow the aircraft to continue accelerating until 70kt. Adjust the attitude to maintain a 70kt/70% climb. At 2-300ft, check all T's and P's are in the green and then at 500ft look out left, through the nose and right before starting the turn at 600ft. Use about 20deg AOB maximum in the turn, rolling out 90 deg to runway heading but allowing 1 deg per knot of crosswind for drift. (eg If the wind is 10 kt, roll out 80 deg from runway heading) At 900ft, reselect 5-7 deg nose down and maintain 70% torque, allowing the aircraft to accelerate to 90 kt whilst leveling at 1000ft. Reselect a speed stable attitude with about 50% torque, and then look out from the left round to the right before starting a 20 deg AOB turn downwind.
Once established downwind, complete the checks and any applicable radio calls, waiting until the landing spot is back in your 4 o'clock. Select about 25% torque and wait for a rate of descent to begin before raising the nose to begin a flare, looking out and starting another 20 deg AOB turn in towards the airfield. Allow the speed to reduce to 70kt before reselecting a speed stable attitude, rolling out with an allowance for wind of 1 deg per kt of crosswind as before. Continue the descent down to 750 ft, when another 20 deg AOB turn should bring you out at 600 ft, lined up with your spot. Level from the descent at 500 ft and continue towards the spot until you reach the correct angle of approach, when you start a decelerating descent. Maintain a constant angle approach where the landing spot stays in the same point on the windshield, while rate of closure should be a 'fast walking pace' judged from the cockpit. At about 100 ft, allow the landing spot to slide under the nose of the aircraft, aiming to end up in a 10-15 ft hover as the final airspeed bleeds off.
OK, it's a helicopter circuit, but we all learnt to fly them as well!!
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Illegitimati Non Carborundum