Narrative:

On the descent to avl; the radio communication between ourselves and atl center became very weak and at times non existent on the primary frequency and a back up frequency. We had to use our radio squelch in order to half hear center. There was an aircraft overhead relaying our messages to center because for the moment; atl center could not hear us or likewise. As we got close to our assigned altitude of 8400 ft MSL; and getting very close to the airport; slowing and configuring; the communication was very spotty. The controller basically dropped us and his words were maintain 8400 ft and cleared to the NDB for runway 34 and you are cleared for the full approach. At this time; the airport was insight and communicated to atl center it was in sight and continued for a visual approach. Here lies the problem: I have now done this a few times lately where it is a late night flight into avl with no local ATC services and becomes a 'drop the airplane down at the last minute into terrain' situation. I know that the radios and radar a spotty; but it would help if there was a little more planning on the part of ATC to give you time of what to expect into avl (vectors vs. Full approach) rather than 5 DME from a fix; you hear; 'cleared for the full approach!' please pass along that I believe that it may be a matter of 'when' not a matter of if a plane gets off track due to late ATC instructions on the unprotected side of the mountains and wham!!! Please pass along all of my contact info to the center. I live locally to the center control and would like to help them construct a safer alternative. Right now the way it is happening is not safe in my opinion but want to help it become safer.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier Captain reports ATC clears late night flights into AVL at the last minute from an uncomfortably high altitude creating an unsafe approach profile.

Narrative: On the descent to AVL; the radio communication between ourselves and ATL Center became very weak and at times non existent on the primary frequency and a back up frequency. We had to use our radio squelch in order to half hear Center. There was an aircraft overhead relaying our messages to Center because for the moment; ATL Center could not hear us or likewise. As we got close to our assigned altitude of 8400 FT MSL; and getting very close to the airport; slowing and configuring; the communication was very spotty. The Controller basically dropped us and his words were maintain 8400 FT and cleared to the NDB for Runway 34 and you are cleared for the full approach. At this time; the airport was insight and communicated to ATL Center it was in sight and continued for a visual approach. Here lies the problem: I have now done this a few times lately where it is a late night flight into AVL with no local ATC services and becomes a 'drop the airplane down at the last minute into terrain' situation. I know that the radios and radar a spotty; but it would help if there was a little more planning on the part of ATC to give you time of what to expect into AVL (vectors vs. full approach) rather than 5 DME from a fix; you hear; 'cleared for the full approach!' Please pass along that I believe that it may be a matter of 'when' not a matter of if a plane gets off track due to late ATC instructions on the unprotected side of the mountains and wham!!! Please pass along all of my contact info to the Center. I live locally to the Center Control and would like to help them construct a safer alternative. Right now the way it is happening is not safe in my opinion but want to help it become safer.

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.