Baronpilot244
Killick Stoker
OK. So here is the scenario: N123AB departs XYZ on an IFR flight plan flying runway heading and is handed off to departure. Departure controller reports radar contact turn right Hdg 270, climb and maintain 4,000. Leveling at 4000 the controller says turn right, heading 230 contact approach 123.45.
Pilot of N123AB checks on level 4000.
The flight is a repositioning flight to a satellite airport about 25nm away and usual practice is to clear the flight through Class B airspace and through a corridor over the main airport on a heading of 180.
As the flight progresses the pilot realizes the heading he is on is not taking him directly over the top of the main airport but he assumes the controller has reasons for not issuing a heading of 180. However, being cautious, our hero keys the mic and broadcasts to the controller that N123AB is on a 230 heading - FYI! The controller does not respond to this radio call and is then busy with other aircraft.
Suddenly the Traffic system in N123AB alerts the pilot to traffic bearing down on him - it is too late, he realizes he is slap in the arrival path of airliners on approach to the main airport and they are within 1 - 200 feet of his altitude.
The controller now comes alive and begins issuing traffic alerts to the pilot of N123AB. The situation is not good and a large airliner has to take evasive action but doesn't have to completely abort the approach.
After things have settled down the pilot of N123AB calls the controller once again. The controller does not reply, so our hero tries again and then a third time. Finally the controller responds and our hero asks the controller if he missed an instruction.
The controller replies, no you didn't - I missed turning you, but thanks for helping me out avoiding all that traffic.
Now! This is not to try and figure out who was at fault but to look at how this could be avoided and here are a few questions to help us along:
1 When checking on with a controller when the flight is on an assigned heading is it imperative that the pilot inform the controller of his heading, even if he wasn't asked to do so by the previous controller?
2 Do controllers automatically inform the next sector of the flight's altitude and heading (if on an assigned vector)
3 What would you as the pilot do? Would you turn to the heading that you assume is going to be given - i.e. 180 as you know that is where you are supposed to be.
4 Do you think the pilot did enough to get the controller's attention and alert him to the fact that he thought the flight was headed into danger?
Thanks
BP244
Pilot of N123AB checks on level 4000.
The flight is a repositioning flight to a satellite airport about 25nm away and usual practice is to clear the flight through Class B airspace and through a corridor over the main airport on a heading of 180.
As the flight progresses the pilot realizes the heading he is on is not taking him directly over the top of the main airport but he assumes the controller has reasons for not issuing a heading of 180. However, being cautious, our hero keys the mic and broadcasts to the controller that N123AB is on a 230 heading - FYI! The controller does not respond to this radio call and is then busy with other aircraft.
Suddenly the Traffic system in N123AB alerts the pilot to traffic bearing down on him - it is too late, he realizes he is slap in the arrival path of airliners on approach to the main airport and they are within 1 - 200 feet of his altitude.
The controller now comes alive and begins issuing traffic alerts to the pilot of N123AB. The situation is not good and a large airliner has to take evasive action but doesn't have to completely abort the approach.
After things have settled down the pilot of N123AB calls the controller once again. The controller does not reply, so our hero tries again and then a third time. Finally the controller responds and our hero asks the controller if he missed an instruction.
The controller replies, no you didn't - I missed turning you, but thanks for helping me out avoiding all that traffic.
Now! This is not to try and figure out who was at fault but to look at how this could be avoided and here are a few questions to help us along:
1 When checking on with a controller when the flight is on an assigned heading is it imperative that the pilot inform the controller of his heading, even if he wasn't asked to do so by the previous controller?
2 Do controllers automatically inform the next sector of the flight's altitude and heading (if on an assigned vector)
3 What would you as the pilot do? Would you turn to the heading that you assume is going to be given - i.e. 180 as you know that is where you are supposed to be.
4 Do you think the pilot did enough to get the controller's attention and alert him to the fact that he thought the flight was headed into danger?
Thanks
BP244