General aviation pilot voiced concern regarding D10 controller's unwillingness to provide radar serv...

Narrative:

I departed denton (dto) to return to ads under VFR rules. I listened to ads ATIS for the appropriate regional approach control frequency. According to the ads ATIS; approach control was to be contacted to obtain clearance for landing at ads. So far; everything is as it should be. The regional approach frequency was very quiet; so I was surprised when I encountered the 'stand by' message. I decided to circle outside of class B (about 20 miles north of ads) while waiting to get my VFR clearance to ads. This is a busy airspace and I did not like circling and waiting for the call back. While waiting; I heard at least 3 other planes contact approach control for clearance for a landing at ads and they were all told to wait. However; the frequency remained quiet. Finally; approach control broadcast that all VFR traffic were to not call him. Finally; one plane asked what to do and was told to 'try the tower.' I was listening to the tower frequency and heard him get a clearance to head straight to the airport. I quickly abandoned the approach control frequency; tuned the tower who provided me a squawk code; and I landed within a few minutes. This was the first time that I've encountered this issue with dfw regional approach. If dfw regional approach is to manage traffic flow into a busy airport like addison; then they need to staff the position appropriately and provide the needed services. Broadcasting to VFR traffic not to call for this service is inappropriate; frustrating and simply unsafe.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: General aviation pilot voiced concern regarding D10 Controller's unwillingness to provide RADAR service into ADS; reporter alleging lack of service is unsafe.

Narrative: I departed Denton (DTO) to return to ADS under VFR rules. I listened to ADS ATIS for the appropriate Regional Approach Control frequency. According to the ADS ATIS; Approach Control was to be contacted to obtain clearance for landing at ADS. So far; everything is as it should be. The Regional Approach frequency was very quiet; so I was surprised when I encountered the 'stand by' message. I decided to circle outside of Class B (about 20 miles north of ADS) while waiting to get my VFR clearance to ADS. This is a busy airspace and I did not like circling and waiting for the call back. While waiting; I heard at least 3 other planes contact Approach Control for clearance for a landing at ADS and they were all told to wait. However; the frequency remained quiet. Finally; Approach Control broadcast that all VFR traffic were to not call him. Finally; one plane asked what to do and was told to 'Try the Tower.' I was listening to the Tower frequency and heard him get a clearance to head straight to the airport. I quickly abandoned the Approach Control frequency; tuned the Tower who provided me a squawk code; and I landed within a few minutes. This was the first time that I've encountered this issue with DFW Regional Approach. If DFW Regional Approach is to manage traffic flow into a busy airport like Addison; then they need to staff the position appropriately and provide the needed services. Broadcasting to VFR traffic not to call for this service is inappropriate; frustrating and simply unsafe.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	825888
Time
Date	200902
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ADS.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Transport Low Wing 2 Recip Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Private Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 1500 Flight Crew Type 350
Events
Anomaly	Other ATC Service

General aviation pilot voiced concern regarding D10 controller's unwillingness to provide radar service into ads; reporter alleging lack of service is unsafe.