Gulfstream V / G500 / G550
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 3100; Flight Crew Type 350
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airport; Airspace Structure; Procedure
The first 'event' was during the day; after being handed off to VNY Tower. We were on vectors for a Visual Approach to Runway 34L that day (unusual for VNY; as they almost always land Runway 16). We were following a Falcon Jet for the Visual Approach; and cleared for the approach following him on a left base to Runway 34L. A little background info: VNY Visual Approaches to Runway 34L in a jet can be a bit tricky; especially at night; since there is terrain to the South by only about 3.5 miles; and generally speaking; jets should be lined up on final; established and stable at LEAST 3 miles out. That said; as the Falcon turned final (that we were following; on a left base); VNY tower asked us to extend 1/2 mile through final and then re-intercept to make room for an immediate departure after the Falcon landed. So we did. However; after doing the maneuver; which I had never done before; I realized it was unsafe. We are close in to the runway; low and slow; in a jet. That's not good. I figured the directions they gave me was uncommon; and he must have a flow window he's trying to make for the other guy on the ground; ready to depart. In retrospect; I should have turned down the clearance. My maneuvering was safe and fine; but in general; it's not a good idea to do that. Our landing was uneventful; and ATC thanked us for the help. Later that night as we were holding short of Runway 34L there happened to be another jet on approach on about a 3 mile left base. ATC asked the airplane to extend 1 mile through final and then re-intercept final; which the pilot accepted. Then the Tower Controller asked us if we could accept an immediate departure; which having been through what I had done that morning; I declined.This seems to be a regular practice when landing Runway 34L at VNY even at night! To me; that's unacceptably dangerous to request jets; while low and slow and close in to the runway and terrain; to perform maneuvers like that - especially at night. I will no longer accept those types of clearances unless I have plenty of room and clearance from terrain. At other airports; that would be OK - you'd most like be 5 or more miles out; at a higher altitude/speed; and have more terrain clearance. I highly recommend someone with some authority call VNY Tower and work out a different procedure to aid in their traffic flow. I did call the tower a couple days later to tell them my concerns. I asked for a supervisor; but instead I was given the controller who issued the clearances to me. It was an amicable conversation; however his response to me was; 'well; you don't have to accept the clearance. You can turn it down and then we'll work it out.' True; but you should not be issuing unsafe clearances in the first place.
GV First Officer was asked by VNY Tower to fly through the final approach course and then turn back to the airport for departing traffic. The pilot complied; but felt this was an unsafe maneuver.