Black_Dawn, in the company I fly for, no need for landing flaps during the downwind. The things we have is to have the wheels out abeam, a "final check", i.e. ld flaps when turning final, and this final segment is to be minimum 30" or .5 NM for Cat C aircraft. But, landing flap can also have the advantage of reducing the turn radius, therefore enabling you to be closer to the runway and not to lose it.
Anybody able to tell me where I can find an IFR tolerance list containing those applying to MDH/A for all approaches, could'nt find it in the Jepp, but probably didn't look well enough...
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... cut my wings and I'll die ...