It's OK and normal for gliders to not fly a square circuit pattern here in Australia. Quotes…
"The BGA circuit comprises a diagonal leg between downwind and base that allows the pilot to constantly monitor the aiming point. Previous GFA Operations Panel decisions affirmed that the diagonal leg is “an allowed variation on the standard GFA circuit” and that clubs may train and adopt this variation. Some clubs have noted that this practice may reduce undershoot risks. It has been adopted by Canada and suggestion is that GFA should also consider this, with the diagonal leg preferred, and the square circuit an allowed variation. "From recent contact with the GFA, the diagonal base is the go and will be written into MOSP or whatever gives it gravity. A great concept unless you luck out and turn at the correct? spot and need to fly "normal" to the final flight path. Don't know how we have survived all these years.” "Eventually, I will get to the bottom of the story of "diagonal base leg" in GFA. I am sure that, when I was chairman of the panel, an edict did come down from on high that the "diagonal base leg" was approved, if not mandatory. "I was going to say that I only fly one "square" circuit per year, and that is for my AFR; but in hindsight, there is usually some smarty-pants in the back seat pulling the bung at about 300 feet, and the resulting circuit is anything but square!” _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring
