Data
I too sometimes get confused as to what is CAA rules, or a flying school policy. For example, I had to complete 3 hours of solo circuits before I left the zone. I totally agree with this because, all the time I spent up there was used to gain experience in the 'what if' situation. For example being asked to hold at different positions or orbits etc. When I am approaching the field from out the zone, my brain switches to circuit mode and I feel more comfortable knowing that I have hammered the circuit! Personally, I would not have felt comfortable leaving the zone having done just one circuit, but that' just me
Maybe that was swapped with the amount of dual nav you did - as I only done one dual nav leg (apart from the normal/routine exit and entry to the zone) before my first flight out the zone - however this was not complex, simply out and back in.
Cheers,
Lee