T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

I witnessed a turnback in a similar aircraft that was close
enough to be called a partial success. He would have made
it with a slightly wider runway, and his alternatives were
all much worse.

There is a limit at which it can be done successfully, and a
limit where it can't. I think it's valuable to know that
limit, and I'd already gone through the "what-ifs" at
altitude. I knew "pattern altitude" was way too high for
the Champ. It was time to try it for real.

IMHO, You've got the right idea. The blanket "don't turn back unless
you're at pattern altitude" may not always be the best option. It's
important to know what you and your plane are capable of doing. As
you noted, the best alternative may not include getting back to a
runway. At airports that are surrounded by densely populated suburbs,
often the best place to be is somewhere in the airport environment that
is relative free of obstructions like houses and schools. If you can
make it back this area, you may be better off even if you can't make a
runway.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)