That TLAR doesn't look right

The primary problem with the article is it was written 40 years ago.

However, one of the major issues with typical landing patterns flown by many pilots is flying the downwind leg too close to the landing area (runway.)

(Watch what pilots are doing at your gliderport.)

This results in a too-short base leg. (Arguably, the most important of all the legs.)

A proper base leg allows safe adjustments to accommodate a reasonable glide slope on the final leg as well as avoiding the extremely dangerous, low altitude "buttonhook" base to final turn.

The 45 degree angle looking down at the runway while on the downwind leg is an angle easy to understand, teach and perform. The technique begins with a walk-through on the ground. The angles are easy to teach, understand, and perform.

Especially under the stress of an actual off-field landing.

It helps to prevent being too close to the landing surface while flying the downwind leg, is easy to teach and easy to perform.

Is a downwind leg better if flown at say 35 degrees? I suppose, however, the emphasis is not so much the angle but avoiding flying too close to the landing area so a proper length base leg is flown.

Gotta go to work now.

Tom Knauff