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A general aviation pilot reported confusion with the ads tower about the inbound VFR arrival and altitude.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1312875 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201511 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ADS.Airport |
| State Reference | TX |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft High Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 54 Flight Crew Total 1300 Flight Crew Type 813 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
I was flying at 2;500 feet inbound to kads; and the tower advised 'proceed direct to the numbers'. In my experience at kads; this always means to descend directly towards the approach end of the runway (the numbers); and it even suggests a request to proceed without delay (direct to the numbers; not a more typical base-final approach). Kads is often busy so the tower often provides such routes to expedite traffic handling.as I was descending; the tower contacted me and asked my altitude when I was at about 2;000 feet. He was clearly not pleased that I was descending; but advised ok to proceed. He said he had advised me to stay at 2;500 feet; but I am quite certain he just said 'proceed direct numbers'. In retrospect; I can see now that he could have meant proceed laterally to the numbers but stay at altitude. But since I had never been asked to do this; I did not even think of that as a possibility. What I should have done is confirm my altitude intentions. For my lesson learned; it is to always confirm altitude intentions; even if it seems otherwise clear to me.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A general aviation pilot reported confusion with the ADS tower about the inbound VFR arrival and altitude.
Narrative: I was flying at 2;500 feet inbound to KADS; and the tower advised 'proceed direct to the numbers'. In my experience at KADS; this always means to descend directly towards the approach end of the runway (the numbers); and it even suggests a request to proceed without delay (direct to the numbers; not a more typical base-final approach). KADS is often busy so the tower often provides such routes to expedite traffic handling.As I was descending; the tower contacted me and asked my altitude when I was at about 2;000 feet. He was clearly not pleased that I was descending; but advised ok to proceed. He said he had advised me to stay at 2;500 feet; but I am quite certain he just said 'proceed direct numbers'. In retrospect; I can see now that he could have meant proceed laterally to the numbers but stay at altitude. But since I had never been asked to do this; I did not even think of that as a possibility. What I SHOULD have done is CONFIRM my altitude intentions. For my lesson learned; it is to always confirm altitude intentions; even if it seems otherwise clear to me.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.