I probably need to lose height from 3000 feet every time I come home. I've never felt the need to do a run & break, and wouldn't know how to. I keep it at 130 knots, pull back the power, and it goes down smoothly and calmly.
What kind of aircraft can't descend from 3000 feet in a "normal" way? My buddy flies a Yak and has never had any problem joining and flying a normal circuit with it. Spitfires and Gnats I can understand, but nothing less than those on the scale, surely?