"Kev" wrote in message
ups.com...

Obviously I scanned for traffic, which is why I'm still here ;-)


I don't understand. Are you saying you scanned for traffic, spotted traffic
one mile out on final, and then turned base?



He claimed to be twenty miles out, or about 10 minutes away at
Cherokee speeds. Plenty of time for me to land first. However, he
was much, much closer. Apparently he was overloaded doing the
practice approach.


Are you sure it was the same aircraft?



In the pattern, it's easier to see where someone is. Straight in, you
often just have to believe what they say. (That is, trust but
verify ;-)


I've heard others say that, but I've never found find it difficult to spot
traffic on final.