BE35 pilot reports flying a straight in VOR runway 27 approach to glr from sparr when cleared for th...

Narrative:

I was approaching sparr intersection to the east of glr on an IFR flight plan. While northbound to sparr [on V609]; the controller cleared me for the VOR/GPS 27 approach with instructions to 'maintain 3;500 until established; cleared for the approach.' sparr intersection sits directly on the 090 radial of the glr VOR. However; it is not shown on the approach plate as a valid fix. I proceeded to a point just inside sparr on the 090 radial and turned to the runway heading; intercepting the inbound 270 [090] radial and proceeded to descend toward deyyy intersection as shown on the approach plate; then descended further without incident. However; upon looking at the approach plate; a procedure turn is shown. My interpretation of my final waypoint at sparr was that it was essentially a 'vector to final' approach; but since sparr is not on the approach plate; it now appears that I should have flown to the VOR; then turned outbound for the procedure turn; then turned back inbound. I am asking an FAA instructor for his interpretation of this; but I believe that it would have been safer for the controller and me to confirm whether a procedure turn was being flown or not. If sparr had not been directly on the 090 radial; the situation would have been clearer; I think. The approach was flown at the proper altitudes and within the 'protected area' around the approach; the question is really about the procedure turn being mandatory and expected in that situation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BE35 pilot reports flying a straight in VOR Runway 27 approach to GLR from SPARR when cleared for the approach by ATC. After the fact he believes that a procedure turn was called for.

Narrative: I was approaching SPARR Intersection to the east of GLR on an IFR flight plan. While northbound to SPARR [on V609]; the Controller cleared me for the VOR/GPS 27 approach with instructions to 'maintain 3;500 until established; cleared for the approach.' SPARR Intersection sits directly on the 090 radial of the GLR VOR. However; it is not shown on the approach plate as a valid fix. I proceeded to a point just inside SPARR on the 090 radial and turned to the runway heading; intercepting the inbound 270 [090] radial and proceeded to descend toward DEYYY Intersection as shown on the approach plate; then descended further without incident. However; upon looking at the approach plate; a procedure turn is shown. My interpretation of my final waypoint at SPARR was that it was essentially a 'vector to final' approach; but since SPARR is not on the approach plate; it now appears that I should have flown to the VOR; then turned outbound for the procedure turn; then turned back inbound. I am asking an FAA instructor for his interpretation of this; but I believe that it would have been safer for the Controller and me to confirm whether a procedure turn was being flown or not. If SPARR had not been directly on the 090 radial; the situation would have been clearer; I think. The approach was flown at the proper altitudes and within the 'protected area' around the approach; the question is really about the procedure turn being mandatory and expected in that situation.

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	962878
Time
Date	201108
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	GLR.Airport
State Reference	MN
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Bonanza 35
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Private Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45 Flight Crew Total 1070 Flight Crew Type 700
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

BE35 pilot reports flying a straight in VOR runway 27 approach to glr from sparr when cleared for the approach by ATC. After the fact he believes that a procedure turn was called for.