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The pilot of an experimental aircraft was operating in the vicinity of class D airspace. When he contacted the tower controller to request transition through the airspace; he was advised of an IFR departure from that airport. When he could not acquire the aircraft visually; the tower suggested a 360 degree turn for separation. When he completed that orbit; he observed the traffic; and descended. He estimated that the aircraft passed over him within 300-500 ft.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1072523 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201303 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Amateur/Home Built/Experimental |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3 Flight Crew Total 1175 Flight Crew Type 250 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Conflict NMAC |
| Miss Distance | Horizontal 0 Vertical 300 |
Narrative:
On a northerly heading on the east side of a class D airspace; I called the tower requesting to transition the class D airspace; the tower then informed me of a cessna 172 that had just departed [the airport] on an IFR flight plan. I was asked; and did; identify on 1200. And at that time; I did not have the aircraft in sight. The tower instructed me to perform a right 360 degree turn to increase separation; which I did. Upon rolling out wings level; I then saw the 172 climbing at my 11:00; heading east; and I informed the tower of this. To improve our separation; I descended a couple hundred feet and the C172 passed directly over me by; I estimate; 300 ft to 500 ft. At no time did I feel in danger; because I clearly saw the other aircraft and was easily able to provide VFR separation; but I assume the TRACON facility; controlling the C172's departure; was concerned. I called the tower and said 'I bet that looks real 'good' on the TRACON's radar screen'; and the tower operator; with some exasperation; agreed. In hindsight; it would have been better had I been instructed to initially perform an immediate left turn; which would have put me well south of the climbing/departing aircraft. To repeat; I was never concerned about the incident or felt either aircraft was in jeopardy; but in hindsight; I believe an immediate left turn; rather than the right 360; would have been a better solution.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: The pilot of an experimental aircraft was operating in the vicinity of Class D airspace. When he contacted the Tower Controller to request transition through the airspace; he was advised of an IFR departure from that airport. When he could not acquire the aircraft visually; the Tower suggested a 360 degree turn for separation. When he completed that orbit; he observed the traffic; and descended. He estimated that the aircraft passed over him within 300-500 FT.
Narrative: On a northerly heading on the east side of a Class D airspace; I called the Tower requesting to transition the Class D airspace; the Tower then informed me of a Cessna 172 that had just departed [the airport] on an IFR flight plan. I was asked; and did; IDENT on 1200. And at that time; I did not have the aircraft in sight. The Tower instructed me to perform a right 360 degree turn to increase separation; which I did. Upon rolling out wings level; I then saw the 172 climbing at my 11:00; heading east; and I informed the Tower of this. To improve our separation; I descended a couple hundred feet and the C172 passed directly over me by; I estimate; 300 FT to 500 FT. At NO time did I feel in danger; because I clearly saw the other aircraft and was easily able to provide VFR separation; but I assume the TRACON facility; controlling the C172's departure; was concerned. I called the Tower and said 'I bet that looks real 'good' on the TRACON's radar screen'; and the Tower operator; with some exasperation; agreed. In hindsight; it would have been better had I been instructed to initially perform an immediate left turn; which would have put me well South of the climbing/departing aircraft. To repeat; I was never concerned about the incident or felt either aircraft was in jeopardy; but in hindsight; I believe an immediate LEFT turn; rather than the right 360; would have been a better solution.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.