Having done some hours building in the US, primarily at Long Beach, I prefer flying the american style "Close Traffic Pattern"
This makes you very disciplined about speed managment and turning at the correct point. It is very frustrating when you are cleared by ATC to join as number two, and the chap in front seems to be doing a small cross country rather than a circuit at the airfield. This had happened to me on a number of occasions when rejoining at Shoreham. I know that some circuit patterns are larger than normal due to Noise Abatement Procedures, but As far as I am aware, such restrictions are not in place at EGKA. Is this the way that Students are now taught? I was always taught that a good means of positioning yourself on the downwind leg was to "scrape" the wingtip along the landing runway......and turn base when the threshold was 45° behind you. This has always worked for me......Perhaps some of you were taught another method. I would be interested to know, as these huge bomber circuits are my pet hate!
Blue Skies