Surely different pattern *speeds* in different conditions, does not imply
different *patterns*, does it?

Personally, I like to make a "figure-8" on downwind, just to break the
monotony of it all...

;-)

Of course I fly the same pattern each time. We're talking approach speeds
here.

Quite frankly, most Spam Cans could fly the pattern at full throttle and no
one would care much, other than the noise Nazis on the ground. My maximum
forward speed is only about 10 knots over what King Airs *normally* fly
their approaches at...

There are two reasons we don't:

1. Because every other Spam Can in the pattern is usually doing 80 - 90.
2. Because inexperienced pilots have a terrible time landing if they don't
fly a traditional stabilized approach.

These are very good reasons, indeed, and I'm not arguing otherwise -- but to
say you must (or should) ALWAYS fly the pattern at 80 is a bit too stiff.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"