Well said Nick! I completely agree with you, it's just that here in the UK the prevailing attitude is often - It was good enough for Nelson at Trafalgar, it will be good enough for you! One day attitudes will change - one day!
As for taking off downwind, as a UK police pilot it is often the quickest way to the job, but when departing downwind, I have a long,long taxi way, then open fields gently sloping down hill should the worst happen. Landing off airport? Make your approach downwind then turn into wind at about LDP.
Indecision is the key to flexibility!
