Joining on long final...... why?

[Over_Shoot]

Initials join

In my experience, initial joins should be used more in the civilian world, IP is normally 3 miles out on the deadside, allows you to clearly the see all the traffic in the circuit without any problems. Spacing is easier to judge and you can turn into the circuit whenever there is a suitable gap.

I find OHJs a particularly clumsy way to join the circuit, normally struggling to ident other traffic against the backdrop of the ground below. Therefore I avoid unless they are absolutely necessary. At civilian airfields I prefer downwind/crosswind joins unless I know the airfield has no problems with me carrying out an initials join.

OS