Steve P wrote in message nk.net...

I think you need to let the controller know when you are in downwind.

Really? Why?

He didn't ask for a report -- is this some mandatory report on a
visual approach that I'm clueless about?

I've been told to enter left downwind when 10 miles out.

So have I. In fact, I've been cleared to land when 10 miles
out, and the next thing I heard was 'taxi to the ramp, this
frequency' after I cleared the runway.

Cheers,
Sydney