DB6 and PPrune Dispatcher have it exactly right... to add my opinion, I was taught to use FARRT checks for the join -
Fuel pump on
Altimeter set to correct QFE
Radio call made
Runway correctly identified
Transponder off.
Obviously for some aircraft, these can be abbreviated to ARRT.
The recovery checks should take care of these things, but I always use these checks as well just before joining, and that minimises the chance for cock-ups. Particularly with Old Sarum (with the circuit changing according to Boscombe), it is a good idea to visualise whether the circuit is North/South/East or West - ie 26RH would be a circuit to the North.
All this may seem a bit anal, but when visiting a new field, or even an old one that you feel familiar with, it is worth doing!
Samson.
[ 17 September 2001: Message edited by: samson. ]