Why? Aircraft would either be joining from your left (crosswind), joining behind you (downwind), ahead of you (straight in), or beneath you in unusual case of a base join.Level flight in the circuit is something that is taught to students to give them reference points in the circuit. I personally would never maintain a level segment in a circuit unless I was doing circuit practice.
You are correct assuming the aircraft was already at circuit height but what if an aircraft was overflying the active side (Circuit height + 500ft) to come in for a mid-field crosswind join? I think its a smart idea waiting until late downwind to depart/climb. Personally I would try and depart upwind where possible.
Departing circuit downwind?
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