Morno, CLX, FTDK are spot on with their comments!
Why would you fly a tight circuit and risk getting yourself a high rate of descent into a black hole situation or landing long onto the strip.
In the AIP doesn't it say something for a circling approach about maintaining a constant rate of descent for the aitcraft type, which should be about 500fpm on finals.
Just remember your IFR altimeter is accurate to +/- 60 feet, your local QNH can be out by up to 5 hpa to the area QNH and if the ALA has no TAF or AWIS so their can be an error of up to 300', so the old turning 500 feet on finals could be rather embarrassing. Don't forget the unlit obstacles such as the Telstra tower, grain silos, farm sheds, high terrain that can be present in the circuit or circling area.
Take into consideration that runway lights may not be a uniform distance apart, if you are using lanterns they can unevenly spaced, not all the same brightness etc.
Last edited by Stationair8; 2nd Jul 2009 at 08:30.