Issuing an expected approach time and holding instruction to an IFR aircraft; then the automatic cancellation of the IFR flightplan. There must be some serious misconception that cancelling an IFR flightplan will magically result in no delay for landing. Let us examine the issue.
It happened again! I issued an expected approach time and holding instruction to an IFR aircraft; then the pilot cancelled the IFR flightplan. There must be some serious misconception that cancelling an IFR flightplan will magically result in no delay for landing. After countless episodes of this sequence of events, the message seems far from being driven home.
As a kid I learned “if two men are riding a horse, one must ride behind the other”. It simply means that only one aircraft can land at a time, and airmen must tow the line. Note to airmen: if you are given an EAT and holding instructions, it is probably because one or more aircraft are estimating the airport before you.
I will speak on three points here - the control zone, IFR flights on approaches, and the traffic circuit - with the hope that I can provide fodder for impatient airment and change some attitudes.
The Control Zone
The purpose of control zones around airports are to protect the paths of IFR aircraft landing and departing at these airports. To achieve this, VFR aircraft must either be issued with VFR clearances to keep them away from IFR aircraft, VFR clearance withheld until there are no potential conflicts, or VFR operations suspended alltogether. Hint: IFR traffic has priority over VFR, not the other way around. When it is convenient, the controller will then slip in VFR traffic around the IFR aircraft.
IFR flights on Approaches
The flight paths of aircraft on IFR flightplans must be protected by ATC at all cost simply because they are navigating primarily by means of instruments. In addition, aircraft in the vicinity of an airport making an approach is usually at a reduced speed and so is the manoeurverability. This is precisely why aircraft on the approach should not have to keep the eyes on the instruments and be bothered with VFR traffic buzzing around their plight path. The two tasks will obviously conflict. Having to take avoidance action at that stage of flight would be unnerving to any pilot and controller. Exercising the option of keeping VFR traffic away from IFR aircraft is prefered over simply passing traffic if they are likely to conflict. With this in mind, IFR aircraft will always have priority.
The Traffic Circuit
The traffic circuit is used by controllers to sequence aircraft by instructing them to join at specific points. Aircraft may at times be cleared to join the circuit at points which do not coincide with the natural direction from which they are coming. This in fact is a delaying tactic used by controllers to achieve the required spacing between arriving aircraft and to keep them separated. I mentioned this because some airmen will certainly let off some trivia, by letting you know which position they are setup for. Who cares!
My Advise
An IFR aircraft is better served maintaining that flightplan as opposed to cancelling VFR. By cancelling IFR in the vicinity of the airport, a pilot is ceding his place to the succeeding IFR aircraft, since expected approach times are base on other preceeding IFR aircraft. The IFR-turned-VFR aircraft must then wait for ATC instructions when it is convenient to be vectored in around the IFR traffic.
Airmen and women! I’d love to hear your reason for canceling your IFR flight when you are not number one for landing.
One Response
Nicely said Wayne, this article would clear things up for pilots I hope, especially the ones that cancel then start doing their own stuff.