Robin & Mixed Up
A question: Why are Brits more interested in exactly following the letter of the law, rather than achieving the intention of regulations?
Could this be one of the reasons we have more trouble with EU regs than other nations.
I'm confused by this comment. All I do is point out that there are airfields where they ask for OHJs. There are others who absolutely ban them, for good reasons. As part of pre-flight preparation you should always be aware of the local requirements. Given the NIMBYs around most airfields these days it is getting more important to follow the local rules so you don't drop the airfield operator into the filth.
At Gloucester and Goodwood, if they tell you to join overhead, then you are supposed to obey that instruction - at Gloucester they do have air traffic
control, although, they may be open to negotiation.
Similarly, try going into Popham on a big event day and join for a base-leg join. Yes, you can do it but you will really p*ss off a lot of people. I've seen pilots held up against a wall by the throat at one event at another airfield by someone flying the notified circuit who was baulked by someone nipping in on an 'efficient' join.
Personally I try to negotiate for the most effective join, as an OHJ would normally involve me in climbing above my preferred cruise altitude. But if the OHJ is required, then that is what I do.