Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Engineer
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 18200; Flight Crew Type 864
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
The flight originated and was planned VFR. At 20 NM west of [destination] Approach Control was contacted with information 'L' and a discreet squawk code was assigned. The Approach Controller said to 'expect a straight-in to Runway 11' and indicated that current speed of 200 KIAS was to be maintained. The Approach Control directed a switch to Tower frequency at about 8 NM. After the switch; the Tower Controller sounded confused about my location and asked for an Ident. At 7 NM; he asked for my ground speed which was verified. Then; he said to report 3 NM final and said to slow to approach speed. This appeared to directly contradict what the previous Approach Controller told me. I extended my speed brakes and started an early speed reduction at six miles from Runway 11. At 4.5 NM; the Tower said 'turn left to the North immediately' and again referred to the ground speed he saw on the repeater radarscope. Obviously; in a hard left turn and decelerating the ground speed that he saw would be inaccurate (due to delay) and irrelevant. While other aircraft made his turn away from the assigned Runway 11; it became apparent that the Tower Controller was placing two-much-slower airplanes in front of him for landing. The Tower Controller also referred to one of airplanes by a first name. I was NOT impressed by this nonprofessional and improper conduct.The Tower Controller improperly directed an 'immediate left turn and reduction to approach speed'. This is fatal recipe in three [same-type aircraft] accidents and controllers were contributing factors in two of the three fatal accidents. No Tower Controller should be permitted to issue such commands unless he has the endorsement after completion of High Performance Aircraft Training. I strongly suggest remedial training for this Tower Controller with emphasis on better coordination with the local Radar Approach Control. I have saved the video-audio from the onboard camera system.
General aviation pilot received less than ideal handling from tower during approach to landing.