Small Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 91; Flight Crew Total 1577; Flight Crew Type 220
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Airport
We were cleared for the visual approach into VDZ about 20NM out; we were informed by Center of disabled aircraft on the east end of the runway and that a portion of the runway was closed. We determined there was enough runway for us to land. The weather was clear VFR. VDZ had an event and a temporary 'Tower' was set up and in operation due to the large volume of aircraft flying in and out of the airport that day (there was no NOTAM about this). When we contacted the 'Tower' he advised us to make a 360 degree turn so that airport maintenance can remove the disabled airplane. We complied as the weather was clear and we were able to maintain clear of any obstacles. Another aircraft then contacted us on the Valdez CTAF and instructed us that Center wanted us to make an immediate climb to 16;000 feet and to contact them. We contacted Center and canceled our IFR flight plan. When the Center Controller inquired what had happened with our approach we explained that we were instructed to make a 360 degree by the 'Tower'. After landing; we were asked to call Center. The PIC called and explained our confusion as were doing as instructed by the Tower Controller and that safety was never in question as it was 'severe clear'. I spoke with an FAA representative later on and she explained that the temporary Tower was for airport advisories only to help coordinate the large volume of aircraft that day. A NOTAM regarding the role of the temporary Tower and controller would have prevented the confusion about whether or not we needed to contact Anchorage Center before complying with the instructions to circle.
In years past; there have been NOTAMS about the fly in; including temporary ATC Tower; temporary airport closures during the show; etc. But this year there were; strangely; no NOTAMS present.About halfway along flight; Anchorage Center notified us that there was a disabled aircraft on the runway and it was closed after Taxiway C. We informed them that if necessary we could land prior to and turn off on C.About 20 miles out we saw the airport and asked for the visual. Anchorage Center cleared us for the visual and a frequency change to CTAF. This is where the problem began. A surprise to us (due to the lack of a NOTAM); we found there was a temporary ATC facility; or at least controllers issuing instructions. Traffic was heavy with many arrivals; so they were busy. When we checked in; they said the disabled aircraft was nearly ready to be removed and asked us to make a circle and delay our arrival. We complied; making a leisurely circle to the left to give them time. About halfway around the circle; another flight came on frequency; called us and said ATC advises an immediate climb to 16;000 feet. We switched back to Center and canceled IFR. The Center Controller wanted to know what happened. We said the local Controller asked us to make a circle; so we did. Later an official with the fly in told us to call Anchorage Center. We were again asked what happened. I was told that we were on an IFR clearance and the temporary facility at the fly in didn't have control. We had no way of knowing who had what jurisdiction and authorization. If a controller gives you instructions; you follow them if able and that's what we did. Apparently there was no communication between the two facilities. Perhaps we could have mentioned when we checked in with the Valdez Controller that we were on a visual approach. Since there were no NOTAMS or information available; we had no way of knowing what was going on. This is very frustrating as I called the night prior and the morning of to check NOTAMS.
Flight crew reports of confusion between lack of NOTAM for temporary Tower; and the problem with instructions from temporary Tower versus what controlling facility (Center) wanted the aircraft to do.