<< >> NASA ASRS Report 576409, March 2003

A PA39 pilot is confused by the phraseology used by pct controller when told to stay clear of the class B while entering the dc ADIZ 34 NM from dca, dc.

Attributes
ACN	576409
Time
Date	200303
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : pct.tracon
State Reference	VA
Altitude	msl single value : 5600
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : pct.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-30 Twin Comanche
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Plan	VFR
Aircraft 2
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 25 flight time total : 6000 flight time type : 1000
ASRS Report	576409
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued advisory controller : issued new clearance
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	FAA Flight Crew Human Performance Airspace Structure ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	Airspace Structure

Narrative:

The controller was very busy. It was the first nice wkend day, and there was heavy traffic. The controller's instructions were confusing 'cleared to enter ADIZ, remain clear of class B' was not clear and spoken fast. Several mins later, I asked him to explain. He did, and added 'the government isn't sure either. How can we know what to do? We are just trying to do the right thing.' he was a very good controller and needs to be thanked. But, we need better 'rules.' potomac approach is doing a much better job since their name change. They try hard, and the new frequency 120.82 is better. The dc airspace needs attention!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A PA39 PLT IS CONFUSED BY THE PHRASEOLOGY USED BY PCT CTLR WHEN TOLD TO STAY CLR OF THE CLASS B WHILE ENTERING THE DC ADIZ 34 NM FROM DCA, DC.

Narrative: THE CTLR WAS VERY BUSY. IT WAS THE FIRST NICE WKEND DAY, AND THERE WAS HVY TFC. THE CTLR'S INSTRUCTIONS WERE CONFUSING 'CLRED TO ENTER ADIZ, REMAIN CLR OF CLASS B' WAS NOT CLR AND SPOKEN FAST. SEVERAL MINS LATER, I ASKED HIM TO EXPLAIN. HE DID, AND ADDED 'THE GOV ISN'T SURE EITHER. HOW CAN WE KNOW WHAT TO DO? WE ARE JUST TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.' HE WAS A VERY GOOD CTLR AND NEEDS TO BE THANKED. BUT, WE NEED BETTER 'RULES.' POTOMAC APCH IS DOING A MUCH BETTER JOB SINCE THEIR NAME CHANGE. THEY TRY HARD, AND THE NEW FREQ 120.82 IS BETTER. THE DC AIRSPACE NEEDS ATTN!

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.