Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11; Flight Crew Total 1350; Flight Crew Type 40
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
Returning from a recurrent training flight with a very experienced pilot; we were talking to SoCal approach for Traffic Advisories as we approached the Van Nuys (VNY) area which was our final destination. Both of us have flown out of this airport for around 40 years and are very familiar with the area and traffic. We were VFR in clear VMC conditions; in Class 'E' airspace and SoCal started vectoring us all over the sky for jet traffic behind us that was faster. We were doing 130-140 knots. They did not ask us to speed up or slow down. After several previous vectors; we were turned toward the airport; and then while in the Newhall Pass heading 160 toward the airport; at about 3300 feet MSL with much higher terrain to our West; we were told to turn to 270. I was the pilot flying and the owner became frightened because the mountain of about 6;000 feet was about 1/4 mile to our West; right where we had been told to turn. I communicated to the controller that we could not turn to 270 because of terrain. His response is the main reason for this ASRS report. He said 'Altitude at your discretion; turn to 270.' As if we could push some button and magically gain 2000 feet or so immediately. We were squawking altitude so he knew what it was. He was busy on frequency; it was clear that he really didn't care if we hit the mountain or not as long as we got out of the way of some new fast jet coming up behind us at some distance. There was no point in arguing and we did not have the ability to climb quickly enough to avoid the terrain. Instead I turned as close to the terrain as I felt safe doing while climbing; which was around 230 and moved us well off the approach course; and stayed clear of the terrain. A couple minutes later he turned us over to Van Nuys tower and we landed with no further incident. However; this has become commonplace around the Van Nuys airport. 2 days previous; we had been shooting IFR approaches at [a different airport] and on our return to VNY we asked for the ILS with SoCal. We did not ask for a practice approach; just for an ILS. It was also in good VFR conditions however. We were vectored to final as usual (I have shot hundreds of this same approach) and after we were cleared for the approach just outside the FAF; our approach was cancelled and we were vectored off the approach course so a jet behind us that popped up could pass us. Then after 2 complete 360 degree vectored turns; we were again vectored to final and cleared for the approach. As we joined final and were coming up on the FAF our approach was again cancelled and the same thing occurred. After the 3rd try; we gave up; cancelled IFR and landed VFR.Other than in exceptional circumstances; the FAR's have always stated (to paraphrase) that the aircraft that is ahead has priority. That's basic to safety of flight. But at Van Nuys it's now simply who has the most money that gets priority; and that is not an ATC policy; but rather a LAWA policy! I have seen the situation just continue to get worse for the last several years. I moved away from the area a few years ago so I do not fly there as often now; and each time I do I am more shocked at the way the situation has become more dangerous.  There were no violations involved in this ASRS report. It is just a safety issue that needs to be addressed.
Pilot reported encountering what he considers to be substandard ATC handling by SCT TRACON while flying into VNY.