Well, more specifically a question about huge circuits over built-up areas really.
Flew into Barton for the first time last week - been many times in the car as it's my 'local' field, I suppose - but this was my first trip by air. The circuit seemed quite busy - at least 3 fixed wing, two helicopters and a couple of non-radio microlights too. 27 right-hand was in use.
An overhead join put me at circuit height (only 800ft) behind a C150 who was doing what seemed a cross-country circuit and we ended up on approximatley a 2-mile final, still at 800ft over a completley built up area, and flying at a very slow speed with full flaps to avoid catching the Cessna. The only option for a forced landing would have been to ditch in the ship-canal under a couple of bridges. I'm sure that at the point we turned final, we were outside the ATZ and only a couple of hundred yards from the Manchester CTR boundary.
At the time I just got on with it and landed, but it's been bugging me ever since. I REALLY wasn't happy with the situation and should probably have broken off the approach.
I don't mean to have a go at the a/c doing the large circuit, by the way - it was obviously a low-hours student solo (I saw him being met by his instructor later) - we've all been there and it's been discussed at length before. I really wanted to turn in front of him, but I'd been warned by the AFIS operator about the non-radio traffic and wasn't comfortable with doing that either.
I suppose I have two specific questions:
1) Is this the normal situation at Barton or was I just unlucky to end up on such a large circuit? Pooleys says that the helecopter circuit is inside the fixed wing at 500ft but what about the microlights - where should I have been looking?
2) In general, what is the protocol for 'cutting in front' of another aircraft in the circuit? I have no experience of AFIS and wastn't sure what to ask for. I do it at my home field (A/G) but usually know the other pilot and use some rather non-standard RT in the process
I'f I'd flown my own standard circuit (i.e. always within gliding distance if possible) I'm sure I'd have been on the ground and clear of the active before the other guy even turned base.
I'm not picking on Barton particularly here, by the way (I'm sure this situation happens at hundreds of other fields). I thoroughly enjoyed my visit when I finally got there and think it would make a great fly-in venue. I even wore my yellow vest for the first time
Thanks for your help and opinions...