Recently, unicate posted:

neil wrote:
As I was taught, the point of flying safely is to always have a
viable option. So, I fly tight patterns and make power-off landings
as a rule. If I make it to the pattern, I can make it to a runway,
engine or no.

Larry Dighera wrote:
Truly? So when you're #5 in the pattern (which necessitates a
looooong, extended downwind leg) you just fly the pattern at 2,000'
then?

I was about to ask that, too. Depending on the airport, it would be
tricky to make power-off approaches from the downwind *as a rule*. Not
only is there the situation Larry mentioned above (3rd, 4th or 5th
behind who-knows-what), but also airports with two runways that are
staggered by 1500' or so and ATCs frequently instructing you to switch
runways at the last minute.

Well, unless you're based at such an airport, those situations become the
exception, rather than the rule. If you are based at such an airport,
then, simply change the rule, and do power-on approaches. ;-)

The reasons that I prefer not to do that when I don't have to is that I
get lots of "dead stick" practice, which I think is a Good Thing.

Neil