Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
I filed an IFR flight plan from UGN; over Lake Michigan. I only do this in late summer and in daytime as the Cessna T210N is a single engine light aircraft. I filed for 11;000 FT and way points that would keep me clear of the Class B outer ring centered on ORD. My goal is to climb as fast as possible to have glide range in the event of an issue. If I file a lakefront route; Chicago Approach vectors me far to the west adding 40 minutes or more to my flight time; as compared with a Victor airway lakefront routing (I've tried and they won't grant). On this flight they restricted me to 4;000 FT. I asked Chicago Approach I was told I could not climb due to O'hare traffic. I have TIS and saw no traffic at all the entire episode within 12 NM and +/- 3;000 FT. When I was switched to Chicago Center I asked again and got the climb but a vector which extended my time over water significantly. There should be a reasonable method to allow small aircraft to cross the minimum distance and climb quickly over the water so as to minimize the risks. I think this is a policy issue more than any ATC conflict rules. Whether a lake crossing; or a trip on the Victor airways across the lakefront or a trip around the west of Chicago; under IFR the controllers vector me way out of the way; increasing risk. If I were to cancel; or fly VFR (outside of the Class B or under); I could fly any route I choose; not participate in the flow; and fly the safest route. It makes no sense that by filing IFR I am put at much higher risk; whereas if I fly VFR I reduce my risk but put other aircraft at risk; and push the controllers to keep IFR aircraft clear of me. Chicago TRACON should adopt a lakefront IFR corridor for small aircraft; a West IFR corridor; and a lakefront overflight corridor that allow safe flight.
General Aviation pilot expressed concern regarding the ATC procedures used to handle IFR aircraft flying in the vicinity of ORD; indicating IFR handling results in high risk over water flights compared to VFR operations.