IFR BE36 on vectors to GPS-a approach to cqx performed procedure turn at IAF to lose altitude; later...

Attributes
ACN	798326
Time
Date	200807
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : cqx.airport
State Reference	MA
Altitude	msl single value : 3000
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : k90.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Bonanza 36
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 30 flight time total : 700 flight time type : 35
ASRS Report	798326
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : published procedure non adherence : clearance other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Chart Or Publication ATC Human Performance Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Ambiguous

Narrative:

I was on an instrument flight plan to cqx. Approach control cleared for GPS-a approach; maintain 3000 ft until established; change to unicom frequency approved; and they told me the frequencys to cancel IFR on ground/air. I acknowledged this and changed to unicom. At whips (IAF) I performed the course reversal/procedure turn; once established I then descended per the approach plate. Upon arrival at the map; I proceeded with the missed approach (airport ceiling was below minimums and we did not see the airport). I switched back to cape approach and advised we were missed approach and requested the ILS at hyn. Once at altitude; the cape controller asked if I had done the complete course reversal on the approach; I said I had. He said he cleared me straight in on the approach. I apologized and told him that the approach calls for the reversal. I know he was very busy; but to me; diving in from 3000 ft; 4 mi out; with low ceilings; the course reversal made sense. It allowed me to get established with a normal descent. I've since read there is a lot of controversy over when not or when to do the procedure turn. In the future; I will confirm whether or not the controllers expects the procedure turn.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IFR BE36 ON VECTORS TO GPS-A APCH TO CQX PERFORMED PROC TURN AT IAF TO LOSE ALT; LATER ATC QUESTIONED PROC TURN WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.

Narrative: I WAS ON AN INST FLT PLAN TO CQX. APCH CTL CLRED FOR GPS-A APCH; MAINTAIN 3000 FT UNTIL ESTABLISHED; CHANGE TO UNICOM FREQ APPROVED; AND THEY TOLD ME THE FREQS TO CANCEL IFR ON GND/AIR. I ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND CHANGED TO UNICOM. AT WHIPS (IAF) I PERFORMED THE COURSE REVERSAL/PROC TURN; ONCE ESTABLISHED I THEN DSNDED PER THE APCH PLATE. UPON ARR AT THE MAP; I PROCEEDED WITH THE MISSED APCH (ARPT CEILING WAS BELOW MINIMUMS AND WE DID NOT SEE THE ARPT). I SWITCHED BACK TO CAPE APCH AND ADVISED WE WERE MISSED APCH AND REQUESTED THE ILS AT HYN. ONCE AT ALT; THE CAPE CTLR ASKED IF I HAD DONE THE COMPLETE COURSE REVERSAL ON THE APCH; I SAID I HAD. HE SAID HE CLRED ME STRAIGHT IN ON THE APCH. I APOLOGIZED AND TOLD HIM THAT THE APCH CALLS FOR THE REVERSAL. I KNOW HE WAS VERY BUSY; BUT TO ME; DIVING IN FROM 3000 FT; 4 MI OUT; WITH LOW CEILINGS; THE COURSE REVERSAL MADE SENSE. IT ALLOWED ME TO GET ESTABLISHED WITH A NORMAL DSCNT. I'VE SINCE READ THERE IS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY OVER WHEN NOT OR WHEN TO DO THE PROC TURN. IN THE FUTURE; I WILL CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THE CTLRS EXPECTS THE PROC TURN.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.

IFR BE36 on vectors to GPS-a approach to cqx performed procedure turn at IAF to lose altitude; later ATC questioned procedure turn without authorization.