Hello Dr,
The 'racetrack' turn to downwind you described, is as taught by Ando and his cohorts and described earlier in this thread. I've also noticed the very military terms 'High Key and Low Key' appearing in CASA's Visual Pilot Guides as well. Maybe the oval circuit as taught at BFTS is the future.
What the law says about the circuit pattern
The circuit pattern consists of five flight legs, each of which involves a series of standard procedures and manoeuvres used to allow the safe and orderly flow of aircraft traffic into, around and from an aerodrome. The circuit procedures also safely expedite a number of take offs and landings to be practised in a short period of time. The circuit is a series of events beginning with the preparation for take-off and culminating in a stable approach and landing.
The operational practices that are covered by the regulation are those general requirements with which the pilot-in-command of an aircraft will be required to conform when approaching a non-controlled aerodrome for a landing and when joining or departing the air traffic circuit.
A penalty of 25 penalty units applies for non-compliance with the subregulation. The offence is an offence of strict liability. One penalty unit is currently set at $110 under the Crimes Act 1914.
The answer to what should be a simple question is?????