to reply to VMC on top
Slightly off topic but what about at a private airfield -do an overhead join as standard to assess wind direction and ground conditions, or low approach and go around?
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Remember that technically it is illegal to carry out a low approach and go around if the intention is not to land. Having said that I occasionally do both, the overhead join gives time to assess the approaches, wind and other obstacles houses, horses etc, whilts the go around is the final check that there are no rabbit holes or fence posts of other 'stuff' that finds its way onto strips.
But you must look like you're intending to land - so landing configuration and speed and a controlled go around. Try a high speed pass at low level and unfortunately the legal precedent was set a long time ago.