What was controller implying??

"Bob Gardner" wrote in message
news

Never parse a controller's transmissions in an attempt to analyze his or
her
intentions. I don't know how you phrased your transmission regarding the
change in destination, but my guess is that it did not contain enough
information.


He wanted to change his destination. He conveys that to the controller by
saying, "I'd like to change my destination to (insert airport here)", and,
if necessary, "via (insert route here)." That's all the information needed.

Bill J wrote in
:

Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles
futher west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have
to reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home
for sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I
wanted to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I
was needing to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5
miles out, and way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me
with "I need to know what is the reason for the change in
destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The
traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that.
When over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.


I suspect you were too close to the airport for vectoring or there might
have been a traffic conflict. On my initial request to the controller, I
would have said "request landing at XYZ due to weather".

I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm wondering if
there
is a new requirement placed on the controllers because of "security". Any
controllers
here that would care to comment?


"Bill J" wrote in message
...
Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles futher
west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have to
reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home for
sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I wanted
to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I was needing
to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5 miles out, and
way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me with "I need to know
what is the reason for the change in destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that. When
over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.

Nothing new in the ATCH.

Bob Gardner

"nobody" wrote in message
om...
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm wondering
if
there
is a new requirement placed on the controllers because of "security". Any
controllers
here that would care to comment?


"Bill J" wrote in message
...
Yesterday I was on an IFR flight about 50 miles from destination. The
area was getting covered with TS, including my alternate 20 miles futher
west. Home base was 150 mi to the east. I realized I might have to
reverse course to escape, but did not have enough fuel to get home for
sure.

So, the last chance to land before the TS got heavy was coming close.
When about 15 miles from this new "alternate" I told controller I wanted
to change destination. I expect a vector to the final, and I was needing
to start descent. Nothing happened. Finally when maybe 5 miles out, and
way to close to get a vector, controller quizzed me with "I need to know
what is the reason for the change in destination??"

From the tone of voice I could tell I caused him a problem. The traffic
was not heavy. I have never had anyone question a change like that. When
over the airport VMC opened up briefly, I cancelled and landed.
Wondering what might have caused the query.

"nobody" wrote in message
om...
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm wondering
if
there
is a new requirement placed on the controllers because of "security". Any
controllers
here that would care to comment?

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed destination
during flight since 9/11. That's about six times. (headwinds, kids bathroom
break, weather.) One controller told me it is a security requirement.

Michael

A search of the ATCH for "destination" returns 72 hits. None of them has
anything to do with a civil pilot's request for a change of destination
(there is some guidance for military flights). Maybe Steve or Newps knows of
some other source of guidance for controllers that supplements/overrides the
ATCH.

Bob Gardner

"Michael 182" wrote in message
newsdvYc.252$_g7.162@attbi_s52...

"nobody" wrote in message
om...
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm wondering
if
there
is a new requirement placed on the controllers because of "security".
Any
controllers
here that would care to comment?

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed destination
during flight since 9/11. That's about six times. (headwinds, kids
bathroom
break, weather.) One controller told me it is a security requirement.

Michael

In article pdvYc.252$_g7.162@attbi_s52,
Michael 182 wrote:

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed destination
during flight since 9/11.

I've done it with flight following and most recently (yesterday) IFR.
None of the controllers have asked why. Good thing too -- yesterday
the answer would have been "filed to the wrong airport". I sort of lost
control of the briefer I talked to.

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

That's about as effective as a security requirement that makes ticket
agents ask you if you packed a bomb in your suitcase...



"Michael 182" wrote in
newsdvYc.252$_g7.162@attbi_s52:


"nobody" wrote in message
om...
I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of
months - the
controller querying me as to why a change in destination. I'm
wondering if there is a new requirement placed on the controllers
because of "security". Any controllers here that would care to
comment?

I've had it happen on every IFR flight on which I've changed
destination during flight since 9/11. That's about six times.
(headwinds, kids bathroom break, weather.) One controller told me it is
a security requirement.

Michael

"Judah" wrote in message
...
That's about as effective as a security requirement that makes ticket
agents ask you if you packed a bomb in your suitcase...


No argument here...

Michael

"nobody" wrote in message
om...

I've had this happen to me a couple of times over the last couple
of months - the controller querying me as to why a change in
destination. I'm wondering if there is a new requirement placed
on the controllers because of "security". Any controllers here
that would care to comment?


There's no new requirement.