the OHJ is quite straightforward, its a bit like a conveyor belt, if its a left hand circuit approach the airfield with it on your left side at 2000',(right side for right hand circuits) you can circle up there left hand turns for as long as want so you know exactly what you are going to do,for the active runway, at shoreham, for rwy20, when you are on the live side be at 2000' or 1100', nothing else. when ready and cleared, cross the landing numbers at 2000' tracking 290 starting a cruise descent in an arc, extend as necessary if following other traffic, (if busy you will be asked to join overhead, so unlikely to come across traffic joining on a direct to crosswind join from the west at 1100',) to cross the upwind numbers at a steady 1100' tracking 110, watch for established circuit traffic and position behind if necessary, anyone in the circuit should be at 1100 before turning downwind from a take off to crosswind climb, providing a sufficient time & distance in which to position your aircraft as necessary, what is not expected is an aircraft taking off to compromise crosswind joining traffic either from the OH or direct.
ps i dont think you should address another aircraft directly when in the circuit, but via atc, its more diplomatic!, you can always ask atc if you can talk direct to another aircraft.
Last edited by memories of px; 6th Jul 2011 at 09:02.