We fly 20 contest days per year here in Arizona Marc and every single one of
them ends with a one mile cylinder. That means that I have finished over 40
times in our ASA series in the past 2 years with the cylinder that you
described so I doubt that you have any more experience than I do with the
system.

The problem is that you may do your "non-adrenaline junky easy pullup" but
most of the pilots that fly contests will NOT be doing that either at one
mile, two miles or fifty miles. So the scenario that you described of
having someone come under you and pull up has exactly equal potential in
your cylinder finish. In fact I would go further and argue that it has MORE
potential since some pilots may continue to push fast toward home (you know
we dangerous, arrogant, hedonistic types) inside the cylinder then pull with
you now wafting around in your extended approach. The rules say nothing
about how you are to enter the pattern or when to pull up. But then silly
me.....I'm sure that's going to be on the table soon too!

This also gets back to the crowd pleasing end as well. Frankly it would
suck to sit out in the heat all day only to have your pilot finish by
entering the pattern. Might as well go down to the local community airport
and watch the Pipers land.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix