Let me make sure I understand this. The FAA wrote the rules, and the FAA
wrote the AIM. Therefore, the FAA must have determined that which is in the
AIM complied with the rules... until the FAA changes it's mind. So sayeth
the FAA. :-)

My understanding is that all of this "advisory" literature (the AIM, the
Advisory Circulars, etc.) are supposed to advise you of a way (but not,
necessarily, the only way) to comply with the regulations. I know of cases
where people have been hauled in for "violations" only to be let off because
they pointed out an advisory that explicitly said that they could do what
they were accused of.

All that being said, I still think the Canadian method (mid-field
crosswinds) is better.

Just my two cents.

-Rob
"Greg Esres" wrote in message
...
So if a RIGHT turn is permitted by the FARs onto downwind, then so
must a RIGHT turn onto final (where left traffic in effect).Hence the
quandary

There is no quandary.

The 45 right-turn entry into downwind is recommended by the AIM and
would not be so if it had ever been held to be illegal.

Once in the pattern, left turns are mandatory unless the stated ground
signals exist, if it's an untowered airport.

What's so hard about this?

then I could do a 90 degree right turn onto short final,
where left pattern is in effect.

No, you couldn't. Pilots have been violated for this and it has been
upheld by the NTSB. You would have to intercept final at a
"considerable" distance from the runway in order to not be "in the
pattern." The distance depends on what type of airplane you're
flying.