Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2100; Flight Crew Type 2100
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure
I was approximately 7 miles northwest of OFP flying VFR on a 1200 mode C transponder code direct at 3;000 feet MSL on the extended center line of Runway 16. I was in cruise flight about to descend to the OFP traffic pattern for Runway 16. I was monitoring Potomac Approach on 126.75 but not in contact or receiving traffic advisories from Potomac Approach. The controller was talking to a Boeing 737. The controller called out traffic to the B737 ahead at 3;000 feet. I looked back and there was the B737 at my 5 o'clock position a few hundred feet away at the same altitude. I immediately descended and turned to the left and observed the B737 climbing to the right. I was very surprised that such a large aircraft got so close and that they were at such a low altitude so far out from RIC (over 20NM). I would have thought the controller would have vectored the B737 away from my VFR aircraft much earlier. I called the Approach Control Supervisor and was told that this was common altitude that they use for approaches to Runway 16 at RIC. Fortunately there was no harm but I wanted to advise that vectoring large and fast aircraft in proximity to OFP at or below 3;000 has the potential for serious traffic conflicts.
Cessna 150 pilot reported an NMAC with a B737 being vectored for approach to RIC.