RE: Mid-air this weekend. Anyone to balme??
I'll pipe in....IMHO if your flying alone the sky is all yours to do with as you wish. the pattern doesn't exsist. As soon as you hear "coming out?" then the pattern is back in effect, in other words flying the rectangle. The wind determines the direction of the pattern. It makes no difference who was up first. the most experienced pilot should try to avoid the lest experienced
You can do a 360 deg turn to give yourself space, or stay high, etc. Ask the other pilots what they are planning to do. if all else fails announce to the other pilots what you'd like to do. you can still do areobatics either on the downwind leg or over the runway. If you're uncomfortable with the number of planes up, or someones flying ...land
All involved share the blame for a simple lack of communication. Plus not looking around your aircraft while flying.
I'd like to compliment edh13 for talking with the P-40 driver.
Oh yea the pay for the day vs. member thing doesn't matter