Challenger CL601
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 12800; Flight Crew Type 15
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
While on a vector to Runway 10L at FLL the Approach Controller gave us traffic while on the left base. We had a TA and while looking for the traffic I spotted a Paraglider that was dead ahead and closing at our altitude. We went through the final approach course to maneuver around the Paraglider then the Controller turned us back on final three miles out and cleared us for the visual approach. We were high and correcting while we were setting up for the landing. We continued on the Tower Control for the landing but our radio seemed weak and unreadable per Tower and we touched down without a clearance or so we thought. Once we got on the ground the radio was switched and Tower changed us to Ground Control. I called the Tower when we arrived at the FBO and they stated it was no problem and they indeed approved us to land and we did not respond however we did land. We have as a crew discussed that once we were distracted on the landing that we should have just executed a go-around instead of being pressured to make the approach to keep traffic flowing. The controllers were excellent and understood the situation and could not believe the paragliders could have been that high. KUDOS to FLL controllers.
We were on a ferry flight to FLL in a CL601; and were being vectored for a visual approach to Runway 10L. We received a TA from the Controller and when looking for traffic; we then noticed a paraglider quite close and we purposely turned; passing through the final approach course to avoid any possible collision. The Controller turned us back on course approximately 3 miles out and cleared us for the visual to 10L. We were a bit high; due to the deviation; and corrected for the approach. We were transferred to the Tower frequency; but the signal seemed weak. We continued the approach and made a normal safe landing. Upon exiting; the signal was better and we switched to Ground. My other pilot; called the Tower via telephone when we arrived at the FBO to ascertain the situation. They did tell him that the landing clearance was provided; so not an issue. The controllers were excellent. The difficulty with the paragliders was the major issue. My other pilot noted that the controllers were astounded that the paraglider was that high and they said that they should not have been.
CL601 flight crew reports a NMAC with a Paraglider while on left base for Runway 10L at FLL. The Tower reported the traffic and so did TCAS before it was sighted. Evasive action is taken causing an unstabilized approach and landing.