Narrative:

While on arrival; [we] had planned and briefed the RNAV GPS runway 23. Weather was VMC with scattered clouds well above traffic pattern altitude. While being vectored for the approach and on a right downwind for the airport; I told approach control we had the airport in sight. The controller cleared us for the visual approach and asked us to enter right traffic pattern at north central airport (sfz) due to the arrival corridor for providence (pvd). We were already established on the right downwind near the departure end of runway 23 while being vectored. When the controller cleared us for the visual; I switched over to the number two radio to make a traffic call on the unicom frequency announcing our position. At the same time the captain asked me to cancel VFR. I didn't hear him since I was talking on the other radio. He contacted approach and cancelled IFR. We continued in the right traffic pattern and landed normally. After landing with our passengers on their way already; the captain and I discussed whether the controller had the authority to request the right traffic pattern at the uncontrolled airport outside of their airspace and wondered if we should have crossed over the airport to enter the left traffic pattern which is standard for north central state (sfz) airport. There was no conflicting traffic at north central airport (sfz) at any time during approach; landing; or taxi in. We should have stayed on the RNAV 23 approach which we had planned for and were being vectored for. There could have been better communication between the crew about canceling our IFR and waiting until after we had landed. Also; since we cancelled IFR; we should have complied with the airport standard traffic pattern.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Corporate aircraft flight crew reported confusion as to whether ATC had the authority to change the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport.

Narrative: While on arrival; [we] had planned and briefed the RNAV GPS Runway 23. Weather was VMC with scattered clouds well above traffic pattern altitude. While being vectored for the approach and on a right downwind for the airport; I told Approach Control we had the airport in sight. The Controller cleared us for the visual approach and asked us to enter right traffic pattern at North Central Airport (SFZ) due to the arrival corridor for Providence (PVD). We were already established on the right downwind near the departure end of Runway 23 while being vectored. When the Controller cleared us for the visual; I switched over to the number two radio to make a traffic call on the UNICOM frequency announcing our position. At the same time the Captain asked me to cancel VFR. I didn't hear him since I was talking on the other radio. He contacted Approach and cancelled IFR. We continued in the right traffic pattern and landed normally. After landing with our passengers on their way already; the Captain and I discussed whether the Controller had the authority to request the right traffic pattern at the uncontrolled airport outside of their airspace and wondered if we should have crossed over the airport to enter the left traffic pattern which is standard for North Central State (SFZ) airport. There was no conflicting traffic at North Central Airport (SFZ) at any time during approach; landing; or taxi in. We should have stayed on the RNAV 23 approach which we had planned for and were being vectored for. There could have been better communication between the crew about canceling our IFR and waiting until after we had landed. Also; since we cancelled IFR; we should have complied with the airport standard traffic pattern.

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.