Jetmech,

I think you are reading into the deadstick practice a bit too deep.

There is no way that I would allow a student to do an actual deadstick for practice! My deadstick practice is accomplished with the throttle retarded to idle so a go around can be made if the student misjudges.

With that said I teach the student to turn and fly the deadstick bird immediately at themselves. That technique eliminates the mistake of wasting precious airspeed and altitude setting up a pattern too soon and not possibly making the field by being short. The goal is find a suitable landing spot to set the airplane down without damage if possible. Wind and runway directions are secondary considerations should a deadstick occur.