The importance of staying ahead of the game

[Pietrantonio]

Yesterday I did a cross-country flight, and yesterday was also my first experience with a near runway incursion.

About 25 NM's out, the ASOS finally started reporting the wx at Burlington Regional (KBUY is in Class G airspace with a normal CTAF for communications). The ASOS reported winds 070 at 4kts, etc. KBUY has one runway 06-24. So, after getting the WX for KBUY, I start my landing procedures for Runway 06. (Also, a Citation just departed RW06, and KBUY Unicom reported that RW06 was the ACTIVE).

Ok, being that I'm training for my instrument, I thought it would be a great idea to tune the ILS for RW06 and just fly the needles with visual reference to the runway. I had no safety pilot, so I wasn't going to wear foggles by myself. So now, I'm over the FAF, and I annouce "Burlington Traffic, Archer 2571M is established on the ILS RW06". Now I'm on a mile final, when I hear "Burlington Traffic Cessna XXXXX turning base to final RW24" (The only radio call made from the Cessna). Sure enough, I see the aircraft making a sharp turn base to final...so I call up and tell him that I'm on a 1 mile final RW 06...he replies. "Oh, well I'm on short final for runway 24." Doesn't acknowlege that he's going to break off and set up for the active runway and just keeps on decending to land on RW24. So I apply full-power, and break to the left.

Thankfully nothing happened, but It's times like this that we prepare for by staying one step ahead.

[Pietrantonio]

I wrote this in the wrong Section. I meant to place it in the General section of the forum. My apologies.

[SteveC]

<moved>

[BobDDuck]

Stupid move on the other guy's part, but remember, uncontrolled fields have no active runway.

[sorrygottarunway]

kind of reminds me of the same "human factors" thing that happens when two people are at a stop sign, and they both motion for each other to go first. Then you move, see the other is also moving, then stop and motion again. The other person is now flashing their lights!

[LoadMasterC141]

This kind of crap has happened to me a bunch. I have been on final before, only to see a Chinook go UNDERNEATH me, never making a radio call. I have had Bonanza's turn in front of me after I am already clearly on final, just to beat me down

Just gotta maintain vigilance and "see and avoid". Just like down on the roads, there are plenty of ignorant you-know-whatskies in the air too.

A couple things about what you mentioned that may have helped:

A) My instructor told me never to mention I am flying the ILS if I am not actually cleared to fly the ILS (IE have a safety pilot in your case).

B) When inbound on a long-type final, try to state miles from field and groundspeed if available. That will let other VFR traffic know if they have time to make it in front of you or not. If you are on a 5 mile final moving at 60 knots, A bonanza could easily make a quick base to final and never be a bother.

C) There is no ordained "you're gonna break a law if you don't use" active runway at non-towered airports. If someone wants to use another runway, that is their prerogative, but generally can be considered bad practice if the pattern is busy.

[BenWlson]

A similar thing happened to me at Lone Star Executive (KCXO) in Conroe, TX. It was late at night and I was taking my time with the start-up, taxi, run-up, etc, and I was monitoring CTAF the entire time. I never heard anything on the radio and I announced that I was going to depart on runway 14. I was looking both ways down the runway as I slowly taxied into position and there was a set of landing lights turning base to final for runway 32. I sat there stunned for a minute and announced my intentions again wondering if maybe my radio wasn't working. I flashed my landing light a few times and sure enough, he was still coming in. Instead of turning around where I would lose sight of him, I chose to taxi up a couple hundred feet to where runway 19 intersected and pulled off there. I waited, and the MU-2 (I believe) landed and rolled all the way up next to me. We just kinda stared at eachother for a minute and I tried the radio again.. now I was really starting to think my radio wasn't working.. then I hear him call up and say, "Uhhh.... sorry about that." I then proceeded to depart runway 19 after a few expletives and a vigilant observation for other aircraft.

[Goldmember]

You're right, it just goes to show the importance of keeping your scan in VFR outside the airplane. Good job seeing the contact and staying safe. However, Just something to think about, with the winds below 5 knots, at a lot of uncontrolled fields, that signals calm wind runway, so even though the wind was from 070, at Burlington, 24 may be considered the corrrect runway to use. OR, as happens a lot also, the other pilot was just too lazy to fly a full pattern, was coming in basically on a base for 24 anyway, and just decided, since the winds were 4 knots, to just go ahead and hang a right and put her down.

One last thing to keep in mind, not everybody even talks on the radio at uncontrolled fields. They aren't even required. We have an open cockpit Stearman at Valparaiso that you always have to look out for because he is ridiculously slow and doesn't have a radio at all. Is it a big problem? Not at all, you just have to make sure, like you said, to stay ahead of the game.

Cheers

[troopernflight]

Impatience can get you killed when flying. You did the right thing to go around. If I was flying the other aircraft I would have automatically volunteered to go around, unless I had a fuel emergency or something. When you see how people drive now days it kind of worries you to wonder how many of those kinds of people are flying airplanes.

[Maurus]

At least this guy was saying something on the radio. At AKR there has been a turboprop based here that never uses the radio. It just buzzes right in even if someone is on their base leg to land.

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

Stupid move on the other guy's part, but remember, uncontrolled fields have no active runway.

Thank you! It is the most vexing thing hearing "New Garden Unicom, whats your active?" ummm, we don't have and active.

Then I advise for whatever runway the winds tell us to use to save my butt.

/vent

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by Maurus

At least this guy was saying something on the radio. At AKR there has been a turboprop based here that never uses the radio. It just buzzes right in even if someone is on their base leg to land.

Its just not the TP.... <other comment removed>

[BajtheJino]

Also, don't forget "Established on the ILS" doesn't do anyone any good. You need to tell DISTANCE out on the ILS. Lots of VFR pilots have no idea their airfields have these type of approaches and if I'm holding short for departure I need to know where you are.
Also, as a couple of people have stated THERE IS NO ACTIVE at a NON-TOWERED airfield.

[Pietrantonio]

Thanks everyone for the advice and comments!

I understand there's no active at an uncontrolled airport. I guess by active, is that since the Citation departed out on RW06, I felt it would be necessary to keep it consistent.

Also, I get what you mean about "Established on the ILS" means little, but to include distance out as well. I should have stated my distance, but after the Citation departed, I was the only aircraft in the pattern. This other aircraft was a "surprise". I will make sure to state distance from now. Thanks for that pointer.

I'm glad I got the responses I did. Lots of advice and I appreciate that kind of stuff. I'm always trying to learn more and improve on what I know, so again, thanks for all the helpful advice.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

Stupid move on the other guy's part, but remember, uncontrolled fields have no active runway.

Anyway. . .you can't expect guys who only make one radio call to really care where YOU are in relation to the airport.

[ctab5060X]

Originally Posted by Pietrantonio

I should have stated my distance, but after the Citation departed, I was the only aircraft in the pattern. This other aircraft was a "surprise".

I have found that if you treat your radio calls and flying at an uncontrolled airport like someone else is also landing there, then there are really no "surprises".

Just my .02

[JEP]

Good thing keeping the eyes open. I just had one question and maybe I missed something reading (it is early)......But when you decided to go around:

So I apply full-power, and break to the left.

Is there any particular reason you went left? Everything I recall states you should be giving way to the right. Had the other pilot gave way to the right and you were giving way to the left we could have had a much different post.

And looking at the plate: ILS 06 there appears to be more obstructions to the left anyway.

[Pietrantonio]

No particular reason to why I went left. I felt there was no threat or danger from the aircraft and the obstructions to my left. I knew he wasn't going to break off because he kept decending and I knew it was up to me to make the move. Also, no other traffic in the pattern, I just decided to break out to the left and rejoin the pattern. As far as the obstructions, I can't remember my exact altitude, but I was in no danger of the obstructions. But you're right about approaching head-on.

"...you must alter your courses to the right."

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Pietrantonio

No particular reason to why I went left. I felt there was no threat or danger from the aircraft and the obstructions to my left. I knew he wasn't going to break off because he kept decending and I knew it was up to me to make the move. Also, no other traffic in the pattern, I just decided to break out to the left and rejoin the pattern. As far as the obstructions, I can't remember my exact altitude, but I was in no danger of the obstructions. But you're right about approaching head-on.

"...you must alter your courses to the right."

That's what I was referring to.....I know it's all hindsight now, but had the other pilot decided to break off and follow the rules then you could have had much bigger issues. I know you weren't on the IFR approach, but looking at the plate, you would see the missed approach for RW6 was a right turn, too.

In the end you kept him in sight and all ended safe. Just put it in that bag of things to remember.

[Pietrantonio]

Originally Posted by JEP

That's what I was referring to.....I know it's all hindsight now, but had the other pilot decided to break off and follow the rules then you could have had much bigger issues. I know you weren't on the IFR approach, but looking at the plate, you would see the missed approach for RW6 was a right turn, too.

In the end you kept him in sight and all ended safe. Just put it in that bag of things to remember.

Will do. I appreciate the advice. Thanks JEP.

BTW is it starting to warm up there in MN? I used to live in Buffalo, MN. That's where I got my PPL.

[granlistillo]

Ok,
My two cents.The FAA strongly advises against making a straight in approach, to an uncontrolled airport. Sounds like you were doing everything you could to make calls, but there are a lot of weekend warriors who shouldnt be flying that dont.
Guys making a straight in, have caused a lot of accidents. Also, you being solo, you may not be able to scan as much for other traffic.

When you are rated and can file, ATC can often (depending on their radar coverage)give you a good picture before terminating radar services. If there are other aircraft (especially weekend warriors) around, i would want to enter the pattern in the recommended manner.

Good call on breaking off.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by granlistillo

Ok,
My two cents.The FAA strongly advises against making a straight in approach, to an uncontrolled airport. Sounds like you were doing everything you could to make calls, but there are a lot of weekend warriors who shouldnt be flying that dont.
Guys making a straight in, have caused a lot of accidents. Also, you being solo, you may not be able to scan as much for other traffic.

When you are rated and can file, ATC can often (depending on their radar coverage)give you a good picture before terminating radar services. If there are other aircraft (especially weekend warriors) around, i would want to enter the pattern in the recommended manner.

Good call on breaking off.

I missed that on the first post about you coming in straight in. I saw ILS, but read faster than I was typing.

In regards to: "I annouce "Burlington Traffic, Archer 2571M is established on the ILS RW06"."....

Many VFR fliers will not know what that means. A better diea would be to annouce "Burlington Traffic, Archer 2571M is xxx miles SW of the field inbound for landing RW06".

Direction from field may be more important to hear instead of "on the ILS".

[Pietrantonio]

Yeah I see where you guys are coming from. Since you mentioned distance out, I always announce my position starting at 15 miles out, then 10 miles out, 5 miles, until I'm in the pattern at an uncontrolled airports. It's a lot of radio chatter on my part, but I want to make sure they know where I am, and at what altitude I'm at as well. But, in the end, I thought I was the only one left in the traffic pattern, until I heard his radio call on a base to final.

I guess there's a lot of things on my part that I really could have done better as a pilot, and because of the replies I've gotten, I've really realized that I had my faults as well. And honestly, I really appreciate you pointing these things out because I can learn from my mistakes too. I'm glad nothing serious happened, but from now on, I will know how to handle the situation better if it happens again.

Also, the only times I will be working on ILS approaches are with my instructor and then when I become Instrument Rated. Otherwise, I'll get MS Flight Sim 2004 going for practice.

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the advice. I'm learning everyday, and that's what I consider the most important part of my aviation career.

[P&H]

Natural selection often takes these idiots out, fortunately. But sometimes, unfortunately, it involves someone who actually is doing their job.

[Fly4Pay]

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

Its just not the TP.... <other comment removed>

What??? Nobody else is gonna comment on this? Or just no one caught it?

(I think it's hilarious!)