>>That's interesting. In my area, it seems the guys that fly extra extra wide patterns are either folks that are new to the area or the "I've been doing it this way for 30 years" types.<<
Different techniques, maybe. Here I am giving 'advice' to a CFI but, around here many of the CFIs do start students out with an extra wide pattern to give them the extra time to get all the details accomplished. After it becomes less daunting for them, they tighten things up a bit but some folks, apparently hang on to the old habits...
***Reality - the refuge of those who can't handle simulation***
Cheers, Jerry (N94)