Thanks, Dan. I suspected you'd keep on with what was familiar to you.

-John, Q3

PS - My Navy buddies tell me they do circling approaches because the airstrip is moving. Air Force pilots copy Navy pilots because the field knows an Air Force pilot is coming and it will run away... grin

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014 11:10:00 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
John,

Yes, I would. It's the pattern I've flown for 40+ years and it's always
worked well for me. I would not consider changing to a square base with a
90 degree turn to final during a critical outlanding at a fenced field.
Likewise, I wouldn't advise anyone to switch to a circling landing under the
same circumstances.

I plan my patterns to roll to a stop at the same location every time using
minimal wheel brake. I do this with calm winds and 30+ kt winds. I find it
easier to plan and execute simply by changing the point where I begin my
final turn.

PS - Navy pilots can't land, then only crash and hope the wire stops them
before they go over the side. ;-)

"John Carlyle" wrote in message
...
Dan,

Would you do a circling approach if you were going into a difficult strip,
too? Say, a narrow cornfield surrounded by trees. I ask because the Navy
pilots I know who fly gliders have reverted to the non-circling approach.

-John, Q3


On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 12:59:10 PM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:

I fly my pattern just like Kirk, though a little higher and faster at the

start. I begin my descending final turn when abeam the touchdown point

and

roll out on final at about 200 ft and over the numbers. I do this both

in

my LAK and in the tow planes.



I did it this way in the Air Force and when I flew a King Air for

FlightSafety. The only exception was in the B-727. Gotta be gentle for

the

pax.