Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 8975; Flight Crew Type 1550
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was conducting a practice approach under visual conditions; for the ILS Z RWY 16R approach into Reno/Tahoe Intl. I initially contacted NORCAL approach on 126.3 and asked for vectors to the approach. Approach asked for my intentions at the completion of the approach; and I told them that after I reached minimums I would make a low approach and proceed visually back to my departure airport. After vectors they cleared me for the approach; and told me to contact Reno Tower on 118.7 which I did. I established communications with the tower; and everything went fine on the practice approach. Upon reaching 200 feet minimums; I added power and proceeded to climb on runway heading. The tower then reprimanded me; telling me that next time I needed to tell them I was going to do a low approach - they apparently thought I was going to land. I replied and told them that I told approach control of my intentions; and I guessed they didn't pass that on to the tower. RNO tower had another VFR departure which they cleared for takeoff on a parallel runway; so I can understand their concern. My mistake was assuming tower knew my intentions; which they did not. I have been in other situations when I was unclear about which information is passed from approach control to the tower; and I am unsure as to how to know for sure. So in the future I will make sure to always inform the tower of my intentions even if I think they should already know.
Small aircraft pilot reported requesting a practice ILS from Approach Control to terminate in a go-around. The pilot's intentions were requested by Approach Control. At minimums the reporter went around and was admonished by the Tower for not informing them of the plan.