Bob,

I can sympathize. I fly (still student) at McCollum (RYY) and do notice the
same thing. My CFI called them "747 patterns". The tower likes to keep
closed traffic between the field and Kennesaw Mountain no matter which
runway is in use so you can't stray too far that way! But yes, I've
wondered "Is he going to Roswell (or Birmingham) before he turns base?"
Then again, they may be a student learning is how I look at it. But, my CFI
used to say things like, "Now would be a good time to turn." But they're
not all students. I've been in the pattern with CAPflight doing touch and
goes and they'll fly those 747 patterns too!

Chris

"Bob Martin" wrote in message
om...
Anyone else here like to fly a tight (or tighter than normal) pattern?

The field we're based at (Falcon Field, FFC) has a pretty good-sized
training operation, and there are a lot of students out practicing
landings, especially on good days. What annoys me, though, is that
some of these students fly huge patterns--like 2-mile finals,
downwinds 1-2 miles out from the runway, etc. Sometimes, I'll end up
behind somebody in the pattern, only to realize that, by the time he
turns final, I could have done another touch and go and ended up
behind him.

IMHO, there's no reason to go flying a jet/heavy twin pattern in a
Cessna. I've always tried to fly mine 4 white on the PAPI, with
basically a continuous turn from downwind to final (leveling out for a
second just to check traffic).