Cessna 152
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 350; Flight Crew Type 150
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Airport; Human Factors
During the initial pre-flight planning; I did a standard briefing using DUATS to SEF airport. However; I failed to take into consideration the NOTAM's for the flight. I made our first radio call on 122.7 reporting my 10 mile mark from the airport. At this time I did not see any other aircraft. At five miles south west of the field I reported on 122.7 that I was going to position and enter on a 45 degree left downwind for Runway 36 (As posted in the current AFD). I was looking at the runway and noticed that the runway is now Runway 1; instead of Runway 36 and also began noticing numerous other aircraft in a right downwind for the runway. I turned to look back in front of me and there was an airplane overflying me at about 200 feet over my altitude. Until this point I heard nothing on 122.7 about all of the traffic so I turned back to the southwest thinking I was on the wrong frequency. I checked but the CTAF was 122.7 and then an automatic recording came over the radio saying there was a special procedure in place with a temporary tower. When we heard this; I continued flying away from the airport back to the south west until we were 10 miles away from SEF.
C152 pilot reports attempting to enter the pattern at SEF during a special event; without being aware of the event and the special procedures in place. A NMAC occurs and eventually a broadcast is heard on the CTAF reporting a temporary Tower in use and the reporter departs the area.