Originally Posted by DubTrub
IMHO, orbits anywhere in the circuit are a disaster waiting to happen, even at controlled fields. Rather a go-around from whatever circuit position, advising ATC of my intentions, even if this means going away and rejoining.
Answer to SPD's post: Left, unless otherwise told or ground signals dictate otherwise. Incidentally, if the Southend circuit was quiet, why the instruction to orbit?
First, speaking about the UK, you should only orbit when instructed by ATC and because the controller is in control of the overall traffic pattern you have little to worry about. Going around when the controller has asked you to orbit could create many unnecessary problems.
Second VNAVSPD was not asked to do an orbit but was querying what he should do if he was. The answer is simple do what the controller asks and in the unlikely event that no direction is specified, ask which way to turn. And just because the circuit was quiet doesn't mean that an orbit will not be wanted - if there is a need to fit in behind a straight-in approach an orbit can be very handy and avoids extending the downwind leg too far.