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Pilot was on a visual approach to smo runway 21; but socal approach apparently expected him to expedite his descent and then instructed him to do so.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1313409 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201511 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | SMO.Airport |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach STAR FERN5 |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 8000 Flight Crew Type 800 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types |
Narrative:
Between vny and darts on the FERN5 arrival; was issued descent from 7000 to 5000 by socal appr ctrl. Descended to 5000; reported smo in sight. A few miles before darts was told to turn to heading 160; intercept rwy 21 final approach course; cleared visual approach to runway 21; santa monica. Made the turn to 160 to intercept the rwy 21 extended centerline. After I intercepted the 21 visual final app course was asked very shortly thereafter by socal if I was making the descent for the visual approach. Replied in the affirmative. Seconds later was told by socal; in a very agitated voice; to 'expedite below 4000'. I did. Switched to tower when told; and landed uneventfully.the problem here is confusion over the altitude assignment and the visual approach clearance. Once the controller cleared me for the visual approach to smo 21; the manner in which I safely descend to the glide slope and ultimately the runway is up to me. If the controller wanted me at 4000 feet as soon as possible; he should have issued the instructions 'descend to 4000; cleared visual approach...' but he did not. He left me at 5000; gave me a vector toward final; cleared me for the visual; and then got heated over the radio when I did not descend when he thought I should have. Unnecessary and unclear radio comms from the controller; and interference with my flying of the approach. Not safe.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Pilot was on a visual approach to SMO Runway 21; but SoCal Approach apparently expected him to expedite his descent and then instructed him to do so.
Narrative: Between VNY and DARTS on the FERN5 arrival; was issued descent from 7000 to 5000 by SoCal Appr ctrl. Descended to 5000; reported SMO in sight. A few miles before DARTS was told to turn to heading 160; intercept rwy 21 final approach course; cleared visual approach to RWY 21; Santa Monica. Made the turn to 160 to intercept the rwy 21 extended centerline. After I intercepted the 21 visual final app course was asked very shortly thereafter by SoCal if I was making the descent for the visual approach. Replied in the affirmative. Seconds later was told by SoCal; in a very AGITATED voice; to 'expedite below 4000'. I did. Switched to tower when told; and landed uneventfully.The problem here is confusion over the altitude assignment and the visual approach clearance. Once the controller cleared me for the visual approach to SMO 21; the manner in which I safely descend to the glide slope and ultimately the runway is up to me. If the controller wanted me at 4000 feet ASAP; he should have issued the instructions 'descend to 4000; cleared visual approach...' But he did not. He left me at 5000; gave me a vector toward final; cleared me for the visual; and then got heated over the radio when I did not descend when he thought I should have. Unnecessary and unclear radio comms from the controller; and interference with my flying of the approach. Not safe.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.