Originally Posted by Hugh flung_dung
FF: No, you don't need a published IP, or to call "initials" - it's actually very easy and safe.
Just fly parallel to the runway while descending for the last couple of miles (or from the edge of the ATZ), call "joining deadside", fly along the deadside of the runway at circuit height (or very slightly below so you can see downwind traffic against the sky), and then turn onto downwind at an appropriate point to fit-in.
I agree, you don't have to call "Initials" - in any event this would confuse matters as
AFAIK it is not recognised "civil speak". It is the same as those pseudo-mil guys who insist on calling "Finals" when they are really only Late Downwind ...
(tin hat on ...)
JD
