PA28 flight instructor reports poor ATC services from ntd approach control. Also noted are some scal...

Narrative:

The cma VORTAC needs to be examined along the final approach course for cma VOR 26 approach. There are some scalloping and course alignment issues. Additionally twice this week while being worked by point mugu approach controllers while being vectored for the final approach course for the VOR 26 we've been forgotten and basically put on vector without a cleared for approach clearance - put right through the final approach course. There has got to be better attention to traffic being vectored on the cma VOR 26 approach final approach course. There is terrain out there folks and if this keeps happening we are going to end up with an airplane in the hills. It seems as if there is no attention being paid by pt. Mugu controllers to getting airplanes aligned anywhere near the final approach course or airplanes being given 'own navigation' to intercept the final approach course. You should not be cleared for the approach a mile after crossing the inbound radial. Controllers need to warn airplanes on the approach if they are going to be vectored through the final approach course. This is not an isolated occurrence. I've had it happen with IFR students three times recently. I have inquired whether we are being vectored through the final approach course only to hear an obviously distracted controller attempt to fix the problem. These are hard-working folks and we appreciate their work; but I am concerned that this is a safety issue. Also - returning from sba the audio quality of the transmissions from pt. Mugu leaves something to be desired in the sector around cma. Is there an transmitter or audio issue with pt. Mugu approach control?

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 flight instructor reports poor ATC services from NTD Approach Control. Also noted are some scalloping and course alignment issues with the CMA VOR during the approach to CMA.

Narrative: The CMA VORTAC needs to be examined along the final approach course for CMA VOR 26 Approach. There are some scalloping and course alignment issues. Additionally twice this week while being worked by Point Mugu Approach Controllers while being vectored for the final approach course for the VOR 26 we've been forgotten and basically put on vector without a cleared for approach clearance - put right through the final approach course. There has got to be better attention to traffic being vectored on the CMA VOR 26 Approach final approach course. There is terrain out there folks and if this keeps happening we are going to end up with an airplane in the hills. It seems as if there is no attention being paid by Pt. Mugu Controllers to getting airplanes aligned anywhere near the final approach course or airplanes being given 'own navigation' to intercept the final approach course. You should not be cleared for the approach a mile after crossing the inbound radial. Controllers need to warn airplanes on the approach if they are going to be vectored through the final approach course. This is not an isolated occurrence. I've had it happen with IFR students three times recently. I have inquired whether we are being vectored through the final approach course only to hear an obviously distracted Controller attempt to fix the problem. These are hard-working folks and we appreciate their work; but I am concerned that this is a safety issue. Also - returning from SBA the audio quality of the transmissions from Pt. Mugu leaves something to be desired in the sector around CMA. Is there an transmitter or audio issue with Pt. Mugu Approach Control?

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.

Attributes
ACN	833532
Time
Date	200904
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	CMA.VOR
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250 Flight Crew Total 4000 Flight Crew Type 500
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

PA28 flight instructor reports poor ATC services from ntd approach control. Also noted are some scalloping and course alignment issues with the cma VOR during the approach to cma.