VFR and IFR Traffic Separation at Satellite Airports

Whether you are doing VFR pattern work or practicing instrument approaches it takes all pilots at satellite airports to work together to keep a smooth flow of traffic. This week we go over some tips on how to work together to keep that flow going.

[@xVoLxPaYnE]

I remember this happening to me at GAF as a VFR aircraft I was 2 mile final for rwy 17. An opposite direction IFR aircraft inbound to rwy 35 did not make their intentions clear. I felt unsafe and the air traffic controller in me helped me to improvise a safe “go around.” Since a normal go-around would not have been safe, I chose to climb and offset to the west. I was fully aware of other aircraft entering or in the traffic pattern. I ended up climbing 500 ft above TPA(offset to the west), overflying the runway, and executed a teardrop entry back into the traffic pattern - all while maintaining visuals with the IFR aircraft executing its climb out. Goes to show you that sometimes you need to react to different situations quickly, safely, and effectively based on the knowledge that you’ve gained from flying. Situations like this happen every day at my work as an air traffic controller but this was the first time I had to get creative as a PIC.

[@TrongNguyen-dv1ir]

Chào