Narrative:

This was my first flight into MSL. The ASOS reported winds from 330 degrees at 7 knots; 6 statute miles visibility in haze and overcast skies at 1500 feet. Since the field elevation is 550 feet and the minimum inbound altitude for the ILS rwy 29 approach is 2000 ft; I was a bit apprehensive when the memphis center controller told me to expect a visual approach. About 10 miles from the MSL VOR (an initial approach fix); the controller cleared me down to 3000 feet. As I neared the VOR; I was still in the clouds and asked for a lower altitude. The controller then cleared me down to 2500 ft. As I passed the VOR; I told the controller I was still in the clouds and requested a lower altitude. The controller said 2500 ft was the lowest he could give me; but that I could join the localizer and shoot the ILS approach to rwy 29. I told the controller that while I'd be happy to shoot the approach; I had already passed the outer marker (dopes). He told me to maneuver as required; maintain 2500 ft until established inbound and cleared me for the ILS rwy 29 approach. After reading back the clearance; I decided to hand-fly the procedure turn rather than take the time to reprogram my GPS; since I was so close to the outer marker and the final approach course. I turned off the autopilot; flew back to the VOR and began to fly the procedure turn outbound. I glanced at my altimeter and realized that I had inadvertently descended about 150 ft below my 2500 ft clearance. I immediately climbed back to 2500 ft and flew the rest of the procedure turn. As I joined the localizer; the controller asked if I was established inbound. I confirmed that I was established; descended to 2000 ft; intercepted the glide slope and landed without incident. Lessons learned: 1. Since this was my first flight to MSL and the reported ceiling was so close to the minimum inbound altitude; I should have: a. Taken advantage of all of the tools available to me; rather than rely on the controller's comment about expecting a visual approach; and; b. Requested the ILS runway 29 approach starting at yonsu (the IAF for a 7 nm DME arc); programmed my GPS; activated my GPS and let the autopilot do the work. 2. When the controller cleared me to maneuver as required; instead of disconnecting the autopilot; I should have flown the procedure turn using the heading bug and altitude preselect to minimize my workload.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An ad-libbed transition to the procedure turn must be devised when a BE36 pilot and ATC fail to recognize in advance the need to fly an entire approach transition procedure due to the ceiling.

Narrative: This was my first flight into MSL. The ASOS reported winds from 330 degrees at 7 knots; 6 statute miles visibility in haze and overcast skies at 1500 feet. Since the field elevation is 550 feet and the minimum inbound altitude for the ILS Rwy 29 approach is 2000 ft; I was a bit apprehensive when the Memphis Center controller told me to expect a visual approach. About 10 miles from the MSL VOR (an initial approach fix); the Controller cleared me down to 3000 feet. As I neared the VOR; I was still in the clouds and asked for a lower altitude. The controller then cleared me down to 2500 ft. As I passed the VOR; I told the Controller I was still in the clouds and requested a lower altitude. The Controller said 2500 ft was the lowest he could give me; but that I could join the localizer and shoot the ILS approach to Rwy 29. I told the Controller that while I'd be happy to shoot the approach; I had already passed the outer marker (DOPES). He told me to maneuver as required; maintain 2500 ft until established inbound and cleared me for the ILS Rwy 29 approach. After reading back the clearance; I decided to hand-fly the procedure turn rather than take the time to reprogram my GPS; since I was so close to the outer marker and the final approach course. I turned off the autopilot; flew back to the VOR and began to fly the procedure turn outbound. I glanced at my altimeter and realized that I had inadvertently descended about 150 ft below my 2500 ft clearance. I immediately climbed back to 2500 ft and flew the rest of the procedure turn. As I joined the localizer; the Controller asked if I was established inbound. I confirmed that I was established; descended to 2000 ft; intercepted the glide slope and landed without incident. Lessons learned: 1. Since this was my first flight to MSL and the reported ceiling was so close to the minimum inbound altitude; I should have: a. Taken advantage of all of the tools available to me; rather than rely on the Controller's comment about expecting a visual approach; and; b. Requested the ILS Runway 29 approach starting at YONSU (the IAF for a 7 nm DME arc); programmed my GPS; activated my GPS and let the autopilot do the work. 2. When the Controller cleared me to maneuver as required; instead of disconnecting the autopilot; I should have flown the procedure turn using the heading bug and altitude preselect to minimize my workload.

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.