Flight Crew Glider; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Other Glider
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I entered left downwind to Runway 12 at AVQ for landing.  A Cessna was ahead of me on downwind for a touch and go; and I announced over CTAF that I was number 2 behind it.  To adjust for my greater airspeed than the aircraft I was following; I extended my downwind considerably; and turned base after the aircraft ahead was already on short final.  As I turned final; I realized that the distance to the aircraft ahead; which was nearing touchdown; was less than I had planned for.  I considered going around; but determined that the aircraft ahead would already be airborne when I touched down; and therefore continued.  As I descended through about 100 feet AGL I encountered wake turbulence from the aircraft ahead; which was noticeable in the otherwise calm air; but not difficult to control.  I touched down just prior to the aircraft ahead lifting off. In retrospect; I should have gone around early and avoided the situation; which would have been a real hazard had the aircraft ahead decided to stop on the runway.  AVQ is a *very* busy airport; with aircraft of widely varying performance.  On my approach this day; a Phenom departed; several light aircraft were in closed traffic doing touch and goes; a Cessna 421 was waiting to depart; and another aircraft was inbound on the RNAV 12 approach.  This airport needs a Tower!
Beechcraft 33 pilot reported encountering wake turbulence just before landing at AVQ.