Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 1700; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
I have flown into MYF several times on an Instrument Approach; ILS 28R. Every time; I am given headings and vectors to final. I have asked for the full approach sometimes; but usually given vectors. The issue is that the altitudes and heading make it very difficult to fly a controlled and standard approach. This last approach I was given a heading to the final approach course at a higher altitude; then turned right and left and then back to final and then a steep descent to be able to get back on the right altitudes for the approach. This has happened about 5 times and usually the same sequence. I am kept high; then a step descent; various headings and then cleared for the approach at the last few minutes. It makes it very difficult to manage speed and altitude. Also; when in instrument conditions it provides an opportunity to become spatially disoriented with the turns and the assigned descent profile. I believe it would be MUCH safer to be given the full approach and follow the listed altitudes. I can tell there is a lot of traffic and a lot of training going on in the area; 2 parallel runways at MYF also present a challenge for controllers; but we should find a way to make the instrument approach be according to the plate. I believe this will make it safer for us all. I respect the Approach controllers and they are dealing with all the traffic the best they can. It just makes the Approach more difficult to fly correctly. If the approach is not workable; perhaps it should be revised.
Private Pilot reports on non-standard Air Traffic Control procedure at MYF.