I don't think he ever got to 800 feet, and probably turned crosswing before he
was even to the end of the runway, and flew such a tight pattern that he
overtook and passed me. Add a low wing over a high wing, a NORDO aircraft
flying a non-standard pattern, and you've got a midair waiting to happen.

Don, you have to understand that what may be a "normal" or "standard"
pattern for metal spam cans is too high for a light, rag and tube
taildragger. The lighter weight and lower descent speeds would reek
havoc with your spam can descents and airspeeds in your "normal"
pattern.

In my 7AC, I can fly inside you and below and either land and be clear
before you turn final or, I can do a 360 between downwind and final and
land behind you if you are on final. There is no comparison between the
performance of aircraft.

My approach speed is 55 MILES per hour. How far behind me are you going
to have to fly and how big a pattern are you going to fly to stay
behind me?

At my landing speed, 45 MILES per hour, I may only roll 100-200 feet.
If I land at the approach threshold, that means I have to taxi on the
runway to get to the taxiway, which may be 1000 or 1500 feet down the
runway. My taxi speed is 25 - 30 MILES per hour.

If I fly your "normal" pattern, you are in a world of hurt. Plus, if
your engine burps, you are going to make an off airport landing. By
flying inside and below you, the taildragger pilot allows you to be
where you want to be.

Additionally, because I can land slower and shorter, I may turn my
downwind to final before I reach the approach end of the runway to
alleviate the long taxi. I will pick my landing spot down the runway at
a point where I can touch down, roll out and make the turn off.