Goose,

There is no such thing as "too obvious", and well done on following the correct procedure. Certainly in the UK I would absolutely agree with your approach.

Outside the UK, though, you might find airfields which are open to the public but unattended, in which case it may not be possible to speak to anyone before arriving. Also, even from a UK point of view, it is interesting and useful to have a theoretical discussion about joining methods, even though this can't possibly take into account local issues at every airfield, and also won't affect the CAA's advice and legislation on how to fly in the vicinity of an airfield.

But if you stick to your policy of asking before you leave home, you certainly won't go wrong! :ok:

FFF
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FFF,

Thanks for that (at least I'm doing something right anyway :p I know I didn't say so in my last post, but I'm actually finding this thread very helpful. I'm off to the States in 3 weeks time. I'm staying there for 3 weeks and I'm going to incorporate some pleasure flying over there in California & Arizona. I've been talking to some friends who have flown out there and they have been sharing their experiences of joins and RT etc. I gather there are numerous unattended fields, so I'm sure I'll encounter the scenario you pointed out where I won't be able to talk to anyone at my destination field before I leave.

Reading the discussion about these various joins has therefore been both interesting and helpful. Thanks again for your comments FFF.

Goose.

p.s. I'm also doing a 3 day Upset Recovery Training course in an Extra 300L, so it promises to be a memorable holiday :ok:

"My preferred join is to fly parallel and close to the runway at circuit height, slightly on the deadside, and then to turn onto crosswind. It allows you to verify the runway and wind, see downwind traffic (and modify the crosswind turn accordingly, if necessary) and to arrange an efficient descent."

If you add: "descend to circuit ht from 1000ft above it" you have a Standard Overhead join!