It can be very useful when the freq is quiet. Often times you'll find
that if students are in the pattern they only talk when turning. If a
student pilot is on downwind, if you don't ask, you probably won't hear
him on the radio until he's turning base, possibly in front of you.

You should be listening on the frequency for long enough that such
students have made several such turns before you are close enough for
that to matter. Make your own position report. That should be enough
of a prompt for pilots in the area to respond if warranted.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
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