That's interesting. The GPS 16 approach starts off in Class E then goes into
Class C at above 1700 just past the Gugwa (or Brenz) FAF.

It looks like I could shoot the whole approach without talking to Jackson
approach, although it would be very close. That being said, I've always got
the feeling that I should be talking to Jackson approach going into Hawkins
which is in Class C. I guess that gives me a little bargaining power.
However, I have to deal with these controllers all the time and I supposed
it's not wise to irritate them in this manner. My whole complaint is that
they ignored my very understandable desire to stay within glide distance,
which really shouldn't have been a problem for them. It was as though I were
inconveniencing them by flying the approach differently, wanting to stay
higher until the FAF.

Lately, I get the feeling that the Jackson controllers are overwhelmed. I
flew in tonight, asked for the GPS 16 VFR by my own navigation and was told
"unable" when 20 miles out. What the heck does that mean? Unable to what?
I'm flying the whole thing myself VFR. They don't have to do a thing.


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...

Let me elaborate: First of all, I am shooting the GPS 16 into KHKS. This
involves going to Ocaro and then doing a semi-hold prior to the inbound
leg. The inbound leg is Ocaro, which is about ten miles from HKS, then
Gugwa, which is five miles (I guess co-located to Brenz.) Remember, I am
single engine so my whole goal is to stay within glide distance. Outbound
from the IAF of Ocaro in the pre-approach hold, I am 13 miles from the
runway, so 4000 is where I want to be if my engine fails. I fly a Silver
Eagle with a turbine, so a rapid descent is no problem. At night, I like
the structure of an instrument approach, but I want the altitude for an
emergency glide. Maybe I shouldn't call it a "practice approach" but by
doing so, the controller knows where I am going and why. He asked me to
descend to 2,000 while I am outbound from Ocaro, 13 miles from the
runway, for traffic that is not a threat an clearly visible to me. I say,
"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay higher until Gugwa." Controller
says, "I do mind. Descend for traffic." So if I say "Unable to descend
yet. Have traffic visually. Will maintain seperation." Can I continue on
my merry way and ignore his command that I descend below a safe gliding
distance. Or is he going is he going to report me to the FSDO?


You're VFR in Class E airspace, if you're not happy tell him bye-bye and
remain clear of Class C airspace.