Musta, I do prefer to use the 1% rule, particularly when trying to train a new sprog.
Genghis, I must admit that I do appreciate the detail you go into with some of your posts. I have "plaigurised" (spelling) some of your material for the benefit of training also. Hope you don't mind!
It is also handy to know how many track miles to run once we are established on an arc. Remember your basic trig. from school? I think someone touched on it previously. For example,with 30 degrees to run on a 10 mile arc, you have approximately 5.5nm to the inbound track. (2 pie R divided by 360 degrees multiplied by the degrees to run). The only benefit I guess from knowing this is to help you plan the gear and flap selection. Nothing worse than dragging it in from too far out with gear and flap hanging out.
Ballpark figures:
On an 8nm arc, multiply the degrees to run by .140: 10nm arc by .174: 12nm arc by .209: and 15nm arc by .262. Makes for easy planning!
Happy new year!