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Old 8th Feb 2009, 14:22
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So, Rotate, Best Rate of Climb to 500', 15 deg bank turn, Best Rate of Climb to circuit height, set cruise speed. 30 deg bank turn. Call Down wind. Down wind checks...
Flying the perfect circuit like that is good training. But once you've got the ticket and a bit more experience, I find it better to adapt your circuit to the circumstances. That means that no circuit will be alike.

I fly from a controlled field where we join via a "cross in the middle, join left/right downwind" procedure. Usually at 1000' or 1500'. And if the circuit is empty you get your landing clearance when crossing the runway.

So it's full flaps immediately, chop the power, carb heat on, continue perpendicular to the runway for five seconds, make a continuous descending 270 degree turn at flap limiting speed and, oh, 45 degree bank or so, join final somewhere over the threshold at 100' or so, milk out the excess speed you have above the runway and touch down.

Far from standard, but safe and the circuit/runway is clear for the next arrival/departure very quickly. Only to be done in an aircraft you are very familiar with, and a field you know very well.

And yes, we know that these kinds of instructions are possible, so the "downwind checks" are done before crossing the runway and joining the circuit.
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