Let other traffic know where you are in
terms they will understand. Give your
position relative to visual reporting points
(VRP), or the aerodrome, rather than
reporting which instrument approach
you are conducting. VFR pilots may not
know what an ‘NDB ALFA’ approach is,
but they will understand ‘10 NM southwest’.
Knowledge of local VRPs will help
your situational awareness. A position
report should be made approximately
10 NM from the aerodrome, but this is
not a hard and fast rule, if there is a well
known VRP at 12 NM report there instead
(if it will help VFR traffic understand your
position). Also, make yourself visible by
turning on lights.
Give some thought to how you will
slot in among the slower traffic. Traffic
already in the circuit has right of way –
joining aircraft must fit in around them.
The most dangerous situation would be
flying an instrument approach when the
cloud base is around 1200 feet, with VFR
aircraft already established in an opposing
circuit. For example, flying an approach to
the sealed runway 20 at Timaru, with a GA
aircraft in the circuit for grass runway 11.
You would be popping out of cloud with
the least amount of time possible to see
and avoid the traffic flying through your
final approach path. It is essential for
two-way communication to be established
with the traffic in the conflicting
circuit. Make sure they are aware of the
situation, rather than just transmitting
your intentions and hoping they understood
what you are planning to do.
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