Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 2200; Flight Crew Type 50
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
VFR flight inbound to Isla Grande Airport (SIG); while approaching local visual reporting point (Levittown water tank); approximately 1 to 2 miles southwest of the field; a radio controlled (R/C) airplane was doing acrobatic maneuvers at our approach altitude of 1;000 MSL. The R/C airplane had reached approximately 1;100 of altitude and was quickly descending on what appeared to be a spin maneuver. A collision didn't happen because we were about 500 FT north of the airplane but certainly a considerable risk to airplanes inbound to Isla Grande Airport. The situation was reported via radio to the Local Controller as other airplanes were also coming inbound to Isla Grande. It appeared the R/C airplane was being flown out of an R/C strip that is located in the area. Users of this R/C strip should be advised of the hazards of doing this type of R/C flying to airplanes in the vicinity.
PA28 instructor pilot reports sighting a radio controlled aircraft above his altitude and in close proximity during a visual approach to SIG. The sighting was reported to the Tower.