Originally Posted by hugh flung_dung
Straight to 2 stages on base if it's a normal circuit; select 1 stage downwind if it's a bad weather circuit.
On a related topic ... I've often wondered why the UAS taught setting flap to inter when downwind in a Bulldog
HFD
I suspect for the same reason they teach oval shape visual circuits. The UAS (and the professional flight schools more genrally) are not in the buisness of teaching people to fly light aircraft per se. The light aircraft is just a stage in progression to heavier / faster metal.
With a faster aircraft it is normal to take some flap and slow down on the downwind leg and to fly a continuous final turn else the circuit becomes excessivly wide. The UAS are just preparing people for the procedures appropriate to faster aircraft.