PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7; Flight Crew Total 1350; Flight Crew Type 100
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Procedure
On final making a GPS approach to RWY 19 at FRG. Wind was about 60 degrees from my right at 14 gusting to 18. At 2 miles out; tower advised of one intersection departure before our arrival. I acknowledged. At 1 mile out; tower advised of 1 full length departure before our arrival. I acknowledged and said that I may have to go around. Tower told the Seminole departing 'No delay.' Seminole said he was rolling. Instead; he sat on the departure end of the runway for several seconds; as I was approaching at 85 knots. Just as the Seminole began his takeoff roll; I did not think that I had enough separation to be comfortable. I initiated a go-around and advised Tower that I was going around and would stay to the right of the runway. Tower said that there was no need to go around; she had adequate separation; and then; as I was already overtaking the departing aircraft; which was now about 400 feet down the runway from the threshold; Tower said; 'Don't go around;' to which I replied; 'I'm going around.' That was an unsafe instruction. Had I been an inexperienced pilot; I may have listened to the instruction and attempted a landing; possibly with less than an ideal outcome. At Republic airport; I frequently am holding short of a runway waiting for a plane on a 3 or 4 mile final; so I applaud the controller's attempt to let an extra departure go before me. I have no problem with having to go around. I was shocked to hear the controller instruct me not to go around. I called the tower and spoke to a different controller and expressed my concerns.
PA28R pilot reported going around at FRG airport contrary to ATC direction when he became uncomfortable with the spacing on the departing aircraft.