French Overhead Joins
Vee-Tail-1: Just need to correct something here if you don't mind....what's strictly required is MINIMUM 3 sides of the rectangle when joining overhead in France at a non-ATC controlled airfield.
In reality, what is expected - & desirable - is an UPWIND join along runway axis on QDM & then descent in the circuit. Essentially you mimick the real circuit but at a slighter higher height until downwind (easier to explain graphically than with words perhaps...?!?)
In my mind, is vastly superior to the outdated & more sweeping UK OHJ:
- Better visibility all the way round the CX, as turns are punctual rather than continuous
- Spatial awareness is much better, as you spend more time S&L & on circuit headings
- Gives a far better idea of wind conditions in the circuit, as you are essentially flying it, albeit slightly higher, from the join point onwards.
Another positive is that you will be following a slightly larger pattern than those already in the circuit, doing T&G's....this aids visibility of existing traffic & distributes the noise footprint slightly.
While indeed a UK-style join would cause some confusion & would not be brilliant airmanship, a French instructor once told me it would "probably be OK if it's not too busy"
There are some quirks of French rules that are less attractive, but the circuit join is not one of them....;-))
Happy flying...BFA