As an instructor who teaches square circuits , i felt i had to respond to this post. Square circuits are flown to maximise lookout and reduce blind spots. If an oval circuit is flown in a high winged aircraft, the runway would be out of site as would other traffic. However i agree that a lot of circuits are too wide. Where I work we always teach that the airfield should be within gliding range at all times, this is not the case with all FTOs. Definatley a case of maximising their revenue, to the students cost. So a plea must go out for people to think about where they are going if the engine stops.