Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 2500; Flight Crew Type 2200
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
VFR flight to BIH. I was complacent and did not check NOTAMS beforehand. Near BIH I received ASOS information: Clear / Calm winds / Nothing unusual.I did a practice approach to runway 12. Near the threshold I noticed trucks on the runway; after that I saw a fairly lame 'X' on the runway. I went around and landed runway 34.I asked the airport operator what was going on and why there was no information on ASOS. I was told the runway was closed for maintenance and NOTAMs were issued. Then I was told that ASOS is owned by NOAA and the airport operator has no power to add information regarding local NOTAMs; i.e. possible closed runways. The inability of an airport operator to add information to an ASOS report loses a potential major enhancement to the overall safety in aviation. I am puzzled why this situation could ever have developed.
Pilot reported attempting to land at BIH after he listened to the ASOS. Pilot observed an 'X' on the runway and wondered why the runway closure was not on the ASOS. Pilot had not checked NOTAMs before departing for the destination.