Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 780
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure
While on an IFR flight plan and executing the ILS 17 approach to circle to land Runway 27; we encountered an airplane conducting acrobatic maneuvers (loops; rolls) directly over the airport at our flight altitude; above and below. A NOTAM was issued that the 'acrobatic box' was active and we were aware of it. Reviewing the NOTAM we learned that the FAA had issued a waiver for pilots to conduct acrobatic flight within one mile from the center of the airport between 700 and 4300 feet AGL. This was not a public airshow. There is a direct conflict between IFR and VFR aircraft. No separation exists.This is an unsafe waiver - should be withdrawn.Sec. 91.303 -- Aerobatic flight.No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight--(a) Over any congested area of a city; town; or settlement;(b) Over an open air assembly of persons;(c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B; Class C; Class D; or Class E airspace designated for an airport;(d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway;(e) Below an altitude of 1;500 feet above the surface; or(f) When flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles.For the purposes of this section; aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude; an abnormal attitude; or abnormal acceleration; not necessary for normal flight.
Reporter stated airport involved is CVO. Reporter further stated he heard no communication on CTAF frequency from the aerobatic aircraft.
C182 pilot on an IFR flight plan executing a circling approach noticed an aerobatic aircraft flying acrobatic maneuvers directly over the airport above and below their flight altitude. Reporter stated there was a waiver in place for the acrobatic box over the airport; but feels it was unsafe and should have been modified or withdrawn.