A VFR C172 training flight goes IMC in VFR flight during a requested vector for an ILS runway 24R at...

Attributes
ACN	529502
Time
Date	200111
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : bkl.airport
State Reference	OH
Altitude	msl single value : 3000
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : cle.tracon
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	ils localizer & glide slope : 24r
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	approach : instrument precision
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : instructor oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : cfi pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 140 flight time total : 600 flight time type : 500
ASRS Report	529502
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot instruction : trainee
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 25 flight time total : 121 flight time type : 121
ASRS Report	529501
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather inflight encounter other non adherence : published procedure non adherence : far other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

We contacted cle approach on 125.35 over cxr VOR for an ILS runway 24R approach into burke lakefront airport. We were then given a transponder code and vectors for the ILS runway 24R. When on the final approach course, ATC advised us of traffic and we replied that we were in a cloud. Cle approach then advised us that we were supposed to be VFR. The other pilot and myself were under the understanding that we had been under IFR. I am still unsure if the controller initially stated to maintain VFR. I have learned that in the future I will make my requests clrer so there is no misunderstanding whether I am VFR or IFR. If ever in doubt I will query ATC. In the future, I will use the words 'IFR clearance' to clarify the request, or file a composite flight plan that states IFR or VFR, and which parts of the flight are VFR versus IFR. Supplemental information from acn 529501: we were under the impression we were being vectored IFR. Neither myself nor my safety pilot recall approach control advising us to 'maintain VFR.'

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A VFR C172 TRAINING FLT GOES IMC IN VFR FLT DURING A REQUESTED VECTOR FOR AN ILS RWY 24R AT BKL, OH.

Narrative: WE CONTACTED CLE APCH ON 125.35 OVER CXR VOR FOR AN ILS RWY 24R APCH INTO BURKE LAKEFRONT ARPT. WE WERE THEN GIVEN A XPONDER CODE AND VECTORS FOR THE ILS RWY 24R. WHEN ON THE FINAL APCH COURSE, ATC ADVISED US OF TFC AND WE REPLIED THAT WE WERE IN A CLOUD. CLE APCH THEN ADVISED US THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE VFR. THE OTHER PLT AND MYSELF WERE UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAD BEEN UNDER IFR. I AM STILL UNSURE IF THE CTLR INITIALLY STATED TO MAINTAIN VFR. I HAVE LEARNED THAT IN THE FUTURE I WILL MAKE MY REQUESTS CLRER SO THERE IS NO MISUNDERSTANDING WHETHER I AM VFR OR IFR. IF EVER IN DOUBT I WILL QUERY ATC. IN THE FUTURE, I WILL USE THE WORDS 'IFR CLRNC' TO CLARIFY THE REQUEST, OR FILE A COMPOSITE FLT PLAN THAT STATES IFR OR VFR, AND WHICH PARTS OF THE FLT ARE VFR VERSUS IFR. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 529501: WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION WE WERE BEING VECTORED IFR. NEITHER MYSELF NOR MY SAFETY PLT RECALL APCH CTL ADVISING US TO 'MAINTAIN VFR.'

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.

A VFR C172 training flight goes IMC in VFR flight during a requested vector for an ILS runway 24R at bkl, oh.