You're about to conduct an approach to an uncontrolled airport (one without an operating control tower) in low cloud conditions (just barely above minimums needed for the approach), operating under IFR on an IFR flight plan. ATC clears you for the approach and you acknowledge the clearance, but opt to continue operating under IFR due to the low clouds. ATC gives you a frequency to use if you miss the approach, then tells you that 'frequency change (to CTAF) is approved'. You continue to shoot the approach, but neglect to change to CTAF, so you don't hear the VFR flight making his radio calls as he conducts low-pattern (below 1000'AGL) touch-and-go ops. You're on a localizer approach, so you're straight in to the runway. Just as you get to MDA, you look up and see that you are about to run right over the VFR aircraft who just turned from base to final directly in front of you. |
This uncomfortable situation could have been avoided if you had switched to CTAF, called your own position, then listened and looked for other aircraft in the pattern. We can't assume that low-pattern ops will not be conducted, even on a cloudy, ugly day: Class G (day; 1200 feet or less AGL) requires only 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds. |
Like they used to say on Hill Street Blues right after the morning briefing: "Be careful out there!" |
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