Narrative:

There are two identical-sounding initial approach fixes for arb (ann arbor; mi); one for the GPS 6 approach called yacnu and one for the GPS 24 approach called yoqmu. Yacnu is also the map for the GPS24. After lansing departure handed me off to detroit; the detroit controller told me 'cleared direct yoqmu IAF.' I was not looking at the chart right then and thought I recognized 'yacnu'; and mistakenly entered that into the G1000. About 5 minutes later; as I was studying my approach plates figuring out what was going on (for something seemed amiss); detroit came back and said 'there appears to be some confusion about the approach fix. Would you like for me to spell it?' right then my microphone button started acting intermittent (fun things often seem to come in pairs). Another controller came on and in what I thought was an impatient tone said; 'are you looking at your approach plate?' I answered 'yes; found it; correcting.' I was then cleared for the approach. Looking at my approach plate for ann arbor GPS 24; 'yacnu' is the missed approach fix; and depicted in bold and/or large type no less than three times; while the IAF 'yoqmu' is relegated to the corner of the same approach plate. Say these two out loud -- yoqmu versus yacnu. I submit that the potential for confusion is tangible. Again; these two fixes are on the same approach. I realize I should have consulted the approach plate when 'cleared direct yoqmu;' but single pilot IFR is demanding and such similar sounding fixes seem unnecessarily confusing. The second controller's apparent impatience was also not helpful -- just spelling it out right away would have been better. And acknowledging that it's confusing would have been downright nice -- but not expected.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Cleared to YOQMU IAF for the RNAV Runway 24 approach at ARB; pilot of C172 misunderstands and proceeds direct to YACNU; an IAF for the RNAV Runway 24 approach; citing difficulty in distinguishing the difference when the two words are spoken.

Narrative: There are two identical-sounding initial approach fixes for ARB (Ann Arbor; MI); one for the GPS 6 approach called YACNU and one for the GPS 24 approach called YOQMU. YACNU is also the map for the GPS24. After Lansing departure handed me off to Detroit; the Detroit controller told me 'cleared direct YOQMU IAF.' I was not looking at the chart right then and thought I recognized 'YACNU'; and mistakenly entered that into the G1000. About 5 minutes later; as I was studying my approach plates figuring out what was going on (for something seemed amiss); Detroit came back and said 'there appears to be some confusion about the approach fix. Would you like for me to spell it?' Right then my microphone button started acting intermittent (fun things often seem to come in pairs). Another controller came on and in what I thought was an impatient tone said; 'are you looking at your approach plate?' I answered 'yes; found it; correcting.' I was then cleared for the approach. Looking at my approach plate for Ann Arbor GPS 24; 'YACNU' is the missed approach fix; and depicted in bold and/or large type no less than three times; while the IAF 'YOQMU' is relegated to the corner of the same approach plate. Say these two out loud -- YOQMU versus YACNU. I submit that the potential for confusion is tangible. Again; these two fixes are on the same approach. I realize I should have consulted the approach plate when 'cleared direct YOQMU;' but single pilot IFR is demanding and such similar sounding fixes seem unnecessarily confusing. The second controller's apparent impatience was also not helpful -- just spelling it out right away would have been better. And acknowledging that it's confusing would have been downright nice -- but not expected.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.