Regarding Pace's video (posted by Pace, I'm not holding him responsible for it).
IF that was a genuine first solo...
(1)The instructor should not have allowed the student to be fitting cameras for a first solo.
(2) The instructor should have ensured far better training about field selection and handling a power failure.
Personally, whatever else it is, I don't think it's a first solo. But I agree completely with Pace that it's an example of very poor aircraft management.
DeltaV - it's a compromise isn't it. A long enough "final" to stabilise the aircraft, and enough of a turn, and a close enough turn, to allow adjustment. Not squarer however. Much easier with the military style constant aspect circuit than the civilian rectangular ones.
G