I'm interested to know what people consider to be a 'normal' circuit.
Take a typical training aircraft, (C150/PA38) in calm conditions. Max rate of climb 500'/min (if you're lucky) at 60kt IAS.
Climb straight ahead to 500'= 1nm from the airfield. Turn left 90 degrees, continue climbimg to 1,000', level off, and trim,. Turn left another 90 degrees = 2nm from the airfield. Fly 'downwind' to a point about 45 degrees sight line to the touchdown point = 2nm from the airfield. Turn base, begin descent, set flap and start the final turn to be at 500' as you roll out of the turn =1nm from the airfield, with 500' to loose on the final approach.
Would most people agree that this is the smallest circuit that can be flown in such an aircraft, whilst at the same time, following the conventions of rectangular circuit patterns, climbing to at least 500' before turning, and being not less than 500' at the end of the final turn?
MJ
