MOR - ta for the info about "how stuff used to be done". It sounds like you had a good system running back then.
Operating safely does not involve shrugging your shoulders and saying "Oh well, that's the way it is, we'll carry on until aluminium confetti occurs". It involves a conscious, deliberate decision to never compromise high operating standards. Sadly, it seems that NZ GA doesn't understand this, hence the high number of completely preventable accidents that occur.
Yes, that's true. But how can instructors improve matters if there is no-one around with more than five years' experience instructing?
indigo duck
Take a deep breath there mate - MOR wasn't suggesting going down to 50' outside an LFZ. And within an LFZ, his suggestion is quite legal. Whether it is necessary or indeed safe is arguable of course...
I haven't stuck my neck out in ages (like 24 hours at least) so here's a suggestion: The primary objective of a FLWOP pattern is not to "see if you'll make it in", but to develop skills and judgement (as opposed to random feelings) to adjust the flightpath as required by circumstances. There is no requirement to descend below 500' to know whether you would make it in, as your judgement, or lack of, is quite obvious before that.
Now ducking for cover. All yours MOR...
Perhaps we should start an instructing techniques thread - that would be a useful outcome from the tragic event we're discussing.