Ah, the "mid-field" crosswind join.
But if you’re joining crosswind, the recommended procedure is to do it mid-field.
Where is this recommended please?
AIP ENR 1.1 para 48.5.3:
For aircraft arriving and intending to join the circuit from overhead,
the aircraft should descend on the non--active side of the circuit
and be established at its circuit altitude as it crosses the runway
centreline on crosswind, at between midfield and the departure
end of the runway.
The tendency to join over the middle of the runway has come from those who like to hear themselves say the extra words, "joining
mid-field crosswind".
Better to join at a position that minimises collision risk, which in most cases will be much closer to departure end as others have indicated (and conforms with AIP). However, traffic in the circuit on initial, crosswind or very early downwind may mean it is safer to join closer to the middle of the field (which also conforms with AIP).
If I may digress slightly, the phrase, "descending on the dead side" should never be used. How do others know if you have the dead side worked out correctly, or what runway's dead side you are using? Far better to say, if you must, descending to the North East or similar...