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A pilot reported the approach controller became agitated when the pilot asked why a change in altitude was necessary during cruise.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1491209 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201710 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | GSP.TRACON |
| State Reference | SC |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Cessna 350 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 225 Flight Crew Total 9500 Flight Crew Type 1300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance |
Narrative:
I was flying a heading of 185-190 to maintain the ground track direct to destination. I was asked heading by asheville approach and they wanted me to maintain 10000 ft for terrain; I asked for a later climb; this was for weather. They complied and later I was asked to climb to 10000 ft and I complied. I was then asked to stop my climb at 9000 for traffic. I then was handed off to greer approach. I was asked my heading I gave it as 190. I was told to climb to 10000 feet.I complied; I was cruising for 20-25 minutes; I was told to descend to 9000 ft; I asked why stated my heading and the controller became irate; I asked for the tapes to be marked. I said I will comply if given a proper clearance of opposite direction. The controller became more agitated and I did comply after the 4th or 5th time and did not agree. I got the phone number for greer approach and the controller and I talked. He stated I am to do what he says all the time without question and his power is absolute. He quoted the aim; and I did say those are guidance and not regulatory. The call went downhill from there. I explained I have the right and authority to question any clearance I'm the pilot in command. He disagreed.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A pilot reported the Approach Controller became agitated when the pilot asked why a change in altitude was necessary during cruise.
Narrative: I was flying a heading of 185-190 to maintain the ground track direct to destination. I was asked heading by Asheville approach and they wanted me to maintain 10000 ft for terrain; I asked for a later climb; this was for weather. They complied and later I was asked to climb to 10000 ft and I complied. I was then asked to stop my climb at 9000 for traffic. I then was handed off to Greer approach. I was asked my heading I gave it as 190. I was told to climb to 10000 feet.I complied; I was cruising for 20-25 minutes; I was told to descend to 9000 ft; I asked why stated my heading and the controller became irate; I asked for the tapes to be marked. I said I will comply if given a proper clearance of opposite direction. The controller became more agitated and I did comply after the 4th or 5th time and did not agree. I got the phone number for Greer approach and the controller and I talked. He stated I am to do what he says all the time without question and his power is absolute. He quoted the AIM; and I did say those are guidance and not regulatory. The call went downhill from there. I explained I have the right and authority to question any clearance I'm the pilot in command. He disagreed.
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.