Okay, deep breath! It has been a while since I needed to look at circuit rules.
There is a conflict inherent in the AIP. Yes it does state in effect that outside five miles on the straight in; base traffic for the same runway is number one for landing. (not downwind traffic)
Also, in effect it states that aircraft conducting a straight in do not have priority over established circuit traffic.
To me this has meant that if four, five or even one aircraft are conducting a traditional type circuit onto Rwy 18, it is not on to commence a straight in approach to Rwy 36 regardless of whether the circuit aircraft are upwind, downwind, base or final. YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE.
How about this. A Tiger Moth with one Com and no navaids joins upwind to get a good look at the sock on a two and a half thousand metre runway. Seven kts headwind on 18, so he broadcasts joining overhead for 18. Meanwhile our hero at fifteen miles in his fast boat (with auto-met) stands on principle and announces intention to conduct 'five mile final' onto 36.
If there was a prize for subsequent airmanship in the above example, who would you put your money on?
Last edited by Spotlight; 2nd Jul 2007 at 10:57.