Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 63; Flight Crew Total 1000; Flight Crew Type 49.6
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
While returning to my home base airport (SRQ) with a student; I was instructed by Tampa Approach to maintain 2;100 feet and contact Sarasota Tower on 120.1. I contacted Sarasota Tower approximately 6 miles east of airport. I was instructed to enter a downwind for Runway 14. At that point I began my descent from 2;100 feet. At approximately 1;400-1;600 feet Sarasota Tower told me that I wasn't suppose to descend. I immediately climbed back to 2;100 feet.
The first aircraft departed Runway 14 assigned a 090 heading and VFR at or below 1;600 [feet]. He climbed to 1;600 [feet]. The other aircraft was inbound to the left mid-field downwind and began an early descent and came in conflict with the departing aircraft. Separation was 100 feet.Pilot briefings on the importance of departure and arrival procedures. The inbound aircraft is a locally based training aircraft. The instructors should know better than to descend without absolute assurance that they are authorized to do so.
An instructor and student inbound to SRQ had a near miss with a departing aircraft after beginning an early descent to pattern altitude without clearance.