Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 44; Flight Crew Total 750; Flight Crew Type 200
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I am writing about two events that occurred at ZZZ. I do not believe either event was a violation of FAA policies but I wanted to be sure I reported both of them to protect myself.On [Date] I was preparing for a 45-degree entry into the left traffic pattern for Runway XX in ZZZ. I made my second CTAF call 4 miles from the airport and announced my intention to enter the pattern 'on the 45; left traffic for [Runway] XX.'A few minutes later; a pilot flying a Diamond announced he was 'turning left crosswind for [Runway] XX.' He asked whether I was in the left downwind or still 'on the 45.' I replied that I was still on the 45 but would be turning left downwind momentarily. He then announced that he was 'turning left downwind for [Runway] XX.' Just to be safe; I announced that I would perform a 360 degree turn for spacing. The other pilot flew the downwind leg; then I entered. No issues.A few days later I received a call from an FAA POI asking about a 'near miss' that had been anonymously reported; probably from someone on the ground. She kept coming back to my 360-degree turn.  I explained the situation and referred her to ATCLive; a web site that archives radio calls.I also expressed my confusion over why this was a concern. I had been trained that using spacing maneuvers is the conservative and correct approach at uncontrolled fields if the pilot is in ANY DOUBT about the safety of entering.The second event occurred 15-20 minutes later. This did not come up in my conversation with the FAA POI. It only occurred to me later that this may have been the near miss she was inquiring about. Here's a summary:I was on a one-mile final for Runway XX at the same airport on the same morning; about 20 minutes after the entry I described above. I was flying patterns that morning to maintain proficiency. I looked to my left as I flew the final approach and saw a glider landing on the 'Glider XX' runway to my left.He was descending from above me and he was slightly ahead of my aircraft.  It is very difficult for me to measure feet in this situation so I cannot be certain of the distance. But it did not feel like a near miss in any way. No evasive action was taken by either one of us. We were both flying straight in to our respective runways and lined up on our center lines.Let me be clear about something -- while I do not believe this was a 'near miss;' I don't believe two aircraft landing on parallel runways; with one aircraft being a glider; is a safe practice and I normally would have extended my downwind and/or base to create more room. However; I never heard the glider pilot's CTAF calls -- if indeed there were any. Also; the glider was above me so I couldn't see him until he descended in front of me and to my left. Some conclusions:I have flown in and out of ZZZ for five years. For an uncontrolled field; it is one of the most dangerous airports I have ever flown; and that includes ZZZ2 inside ZZZ3 Class Bravo. Traffic on any given day is packed with student pilots; private pilots; traveling pilots coming to ZZZ and -- worse yet -- gliders on a parallel runway to the active non-glider; powered runway. It's a mess. Making matters worse; there are five airports in a narrow corridor between the mountains and ZZZ1 Class B airspace -- four of which are uncontrolled. And to finish this night mare off; a very active parachute operation at ZZZ4.It's a disaster waiting to happen.
Ground Observer reported a possible Near Mid Air Collision the FAA and reporting Pilot provided details of incidents.