IFR general aviation aircraft under radar control; but issued direct clearance to zacks for the sba ...

Narrative:

On IFR clearance from ZZZ to sba. Final way point in that clearance is kwang; from which a straight-in approach via the sba VOR/GPS 25 approach is indicated. Received radar vectors for sequencing prior to kwang; then 'proceed direct zacks (the FAF and also an IAF); maintain 2;100 until established; cleared GPS25 approach.' shortly thereafter; I was instructed to contact the tower. Per aim 5-4-9; a procedure turn is required with this clearance. ATC provided no radar vector to intercept the final approach course; nor did ATC assign a 'straight in approach.' considered as an IAF; zacks does not have a 'nopt' indication; vs. Kwang; which does. The fact that the assigned altitude (2;100 ft) was below the 3;000 ft floor of the outbound procedure turn segment aroused my suspicion. I queried the tower controller; who informed me not to perform the course reversal and proceed straight in. I was able to do so safely and landed without incident. In my opinion; this misunderstanding could have resulted in a very serious situation. Were another aircraft cleared straight-in for the same approach behind me; and had I performed the course reversal; there would have been two aircraft; in IMC; heading in opposite directions; at the same altitude; following the same highly precise GPS course. In discussions with others; confusion over procedure turns in radar and RNAV environments seems surprisingly common; both among pilots and controllers. Similar to the often redundant altitude clearances (e.g. 'Maintain [altitude for which you were already cleared] until established. . . .'); Perhaps ATC should consider including 'cleared via straight in' or 'cleared via procedure turn' in all approach clearances to obviate similar misunderstandings.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IFR general aviation aircraft under radar control; but issued direct clearance to ZACKS for the SBA VOR/GPS 25 approach procedure; voiced concern regarding the requirement to complete a procedure turn; alleging that both pilots and controllers are confused as to the turn requirement.

Narrative: On IFR clearance from ZZZ to SBA. Final way point in that clearance is KWANG; from which a straight-in approach via the SBA VOR/GPS 25 approach is indicated. Received radar vectors for sequencing prior to KWANG; then 'proceed direct ZACKS (the FAF and also an IAF); maintain 2;100 until established; cleared GPS25 approach.' Shortly thereafter; I was instructed to contact the Tower. Per AIM 5-4-9; a procedure turn is required with this clearance. ATC provided no radar vector to intercept the final approach course; nor did ATC assign a 'straight in approach.' Considered as an IAF; ZACKS does not have a 'NoPt' indication; vs. KWANG; which does. The fact that the assigned altitude (2;100 FT) was below the 3;000 FT floor of the outbound procedure turn segment aroused my suspicion. I queried the Tower Controller; who informed me not to perform the course reversal and proceed straight in. I was able to do so safely and landed without incident. In my opinion; this misunderstanding could have resulted in a very serious situation. Were another aircraft cleared straight-in for the same approach behind me; and had I performed the course reversal; there would have been two aircraft; in IMC; heading in opposite directions; at the same altitude; following the same highly precise GPS course. In discussions with others; confusion over procedure turns in radar and RNAV environments seems surprisingly common; both among pilots and controllers. Similar to the often redundant altitude clearances (e.g. 'maintain [altitude for which you were already cleared] until established. . . .'); perhaps ATC should consider including 'cleared via straight in' or 'cleared via procedure turn' in all approach clearances to obviate similar misunderstandings.

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	852299
Time
Date	200909
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	SBA.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 255 Flight Crew Type 56
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

IFR general aviation aircraft under radar control; but issued direct clearance to zacks for the sba VOR/GPS 25 approach procedure; voiced concern regarding the requirement to complete a procedure turn; alleging that both pilots and controllers are confused as to the turn requirement.