I am told that in the UK and Europe, most pilots have
adopted a 45 deg. diagonal leg between downwind to base in
the pattern some time ago. In the US, most instructors and
most of the gliding texts still teach a rectangular pattern.

A principal advantage is supposed to be that the pilot can
better keep an eye on the touchdown point at all times and
more readily gauge the glide path to touchdown.

Does anyone know if this pattern has in fact reduced landing
accidents, especially during off field landings? Are there
any reliable statistics to support claims of its benefits?

Thanks,

Pete


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Peter D. Brown
http://home.gci.net/~pdb/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akmtnsoaring/