Originally Posted by Chuck Ellsworth
A tight circuit in a small trainer such as a Cessna or Piper is about one minute from touch and go to touch and go...but you have to have the airport all to yourself.
The tightest circuit's I've done is in the pawnee on a ridge soaring day. When the gliders cut loose before the end of the runway, I'll do a chandelle once I hit the ridge lift, I'm at 800' in a blink. During the turn I start reeling in the rope. The wind, 20 kts or more on the ridge makes the downwind go fast. Then once you survive the washing-machine final it's all over. I don't know how long that takes, I've always been too busy flying to notice.
Gliders fly tight patterns too, even though there is no worries about engine failure. Another interesting bit of trivia is that gliders at our club have been known to do T&G's on ridge days. I've never personally witnessed it, or tried it, but have heard of it. I have seen low passes on ridge days before.
-- IFMU