Cessna 180 Skywagon
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Inbound to ZZZ from the south. Reported on CTAF 5 nm south of airport inbound for landing on Runway XX. A flight of 3 RVs reported taxiing out for XX. Approaching the airport RVs reported their takeoff roll; just prior to entering the downwind leg RVs reported they would be departing southbound. I then reported I was 2 minutes south. At that time; I observed the RVs over the departure end turning left. At this time; I could see them on a direct course toward me; they were climbing; I was level at pattern altitude (900 feet MSL). They were basically climbing or about to climb through my altitude; my best option was to descend underneath them; as they were climbing. At that point one of the RVs; I assume the leader reported seeing me headed underneath them. After we passed; I climbed back to pastern altitude and turned downwind; the RVs continued southbound.I saw the RVs from their x-wind turn. I thought they would make a standard 45 departure from the x-wind leg prior to turning southbound but they continued south. I should have been a little more to the East so that I joined the downwind at mid-field. They should have departed on a 45 to the x-wind. Fortunately; I was watching for them and saw them in time to avoid them. Everybody being on frequency was a positive.
Pilot reported that during their approach to the airport; a flight of 3 aircraft departed and failed to use the correct pattern departure procedure; resulting in an NMAC. The inbound pilot had to descend in order to avoid the other aircraft.