PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 41; Flight Crew Total 629; Flight Crew Type 629
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload; Distraction; Confusion
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Let me say to begin I am not familiar with Flight Check. By this I mean I never came across it in any of my FAA materials or non-FAA reading; online; or video materials. It was not on any of my private; instrument; or commercial FAA exams. It was never brought up to me on any flight checks or check rides. I have never seen anything written about it in any online materials. No CFI or CFII ever mentioned it to me. I have never seen Flight Check aircraft at my home airport or any other airport I've ever flown into. Yesterday I experienced a conflict with a Flight Check aircraft. Just after I made my routine call for my pattern entry '...6 miles to the northeast inbound for a left downwind...'; a Flight Check aircraft made the call they were on an approach to the same runway as me and that they would need to drive inbound on the final until just short of the approach end for on an obstacle check. We're looking for inbound traffic. Other calls by various aircraft as well as Flight Check and my aircraft were made. One of the flight check calls was stepped on however and was therefore not audible. What is important to note too; is that there was an aircraft 2 to 3 miles behind me following me in. Because Flight Check and I were on an entry for the same runway in opposite directions I felt the situation was beginning to become dangerous; I considered doing a 360 turn at 6 miles out just to give spacing to the Flight Check aircraft coming in from the wrong direction. However; I did not do this because there was an aircraft directly behind me and I felt a 360 might put me into him. Therefore; for safety reasons I decided against it. I felt the safest course of action was to proceed on because I felt a King Air at 6 miles out was going to arrive much sooner than I was at 6 miles out because of his faster speed and because he was doing a straight in and I was doing a standard approach. Additionally; he said he was not going to land but instead 'break off just short of the approach end...'. Lastly; he said he was 'looking for inbound aircraft' which I felt meant he was aware of me and would divert if needed. I also briefly considered the option of extending my downwind but felt that to be unsafe because other aircraft were in the area and I had lost track of exactly where everybody was due to the constant traffic chatter both for ZZZ and other nearby airports. It was becoming stressful and my goal was to fly the aircraft; look out the window; and either land or see and avoid this other aircraft. As our approaches proceeded and I turned final I could see an oncoming aircraft above me ascending and turning south as I was descending to land. As I was about 50 feet off the runway I received a tongue lashing from the Flight Check aircraft and my landing was hard and it took several moments for me to calm myself after parking. Only after going into the Fixed Base Operator and asking about what a Flight Check aircraft was did I understand what had just happened. I now understand; after I did my own investigation; what Flight Check is and what I should do if I encounter a Flight Check aircraft in the future. I will now avoid Flight Check if I ever encounter one. I will advise other pilots of what Flight Check is and to avoid them. What caused the problem and what can be done to prevent a recurrence or correct the problem.The problem was caused by me not knowing what Flight Check is and that they have the authority to fly wherever they want and however they want. I will stay away from all Flight Check aircraft in the future. Flight Checks should be included in NOTAMS. I checked NOTAMS prior to my departure and there existed no such NOTAM regarding Flight Check aircraft that day. ATC; such as Approach did not advise me of any Flight Check aircraft. Flight Check pilots should include such wording as; 'This is the Federal Aviation Administration advising all aircraft to avoid (airport name) until (time).' This should be repeated over the appropriate frequency every 1 to 2 minutes until Flight Check is clear of the area. Include Flight Check information in FAA teaching materials. Include Flight Check information in FAA testing materials. Flight Check pilots should avoid berating pilots on frequency especially just prior to them landing as this can cause an unsafe distraction.
A General Aviation pilot landing at a non towered airport reported a Flight Check aircraft which the pilot was aware of had to take evasive action to avoid them on short final.