mowgli,
you are right, dog legs make it easier to judge the turns in sequence.
BOAC,
Thanks for raising the topic.
you have a very valid point about fuel. I'll certainly consider giving a range from touchdown on leaving the stack if it is for extended vectoring (though usually 40ish miles, never eighty).
apart from the fuel issue, do you have a problem with a 50 mile circuit for 26L, first 25 at FL 70, 220kts, then a standard circuit for the next 25 ? or would you still prefer one more pattern at timba at FL70 ?
How do other pilots feel ?
As a general rule i never reduce an aircraft below min clean until about 12-18 miles unless something's gone wrong.