Hello PoA,
I am fresh off my instrument rating and feeling really great about my progress. Except that I have an issue with controlled airspace under VFR, especially unfamiliar controlled airspace. During my instrument PIC XC timebuilding I would select class D airports as destinations but between long-winded & dense ATIS recordings and the of flurry activity on the tower frequency I would just divert to a nearby untowered airport (even if it was much busier). I just don't want to get into class D airspace and f### up.
I have no issues flying IFR. Flying either the standardized IAP or being vectored eliminates the guesswork.
I think this anxiety largely stems from my disapproval for my PPL. On my checkride I was taken to a "surprise" class D that was significantly out of the way (this DPE had never done this before according to the school) and when instructed to enter at the downwind I took a very wide looping turn to enter that downwind on a 45 as I was accustomed to at uncontrolled airports. ATC queried me on what I was doing, then the DPE insisted I was entering the pattern for the wrong runway and I foolishly did not protest. Later I found out that he was making comments that he was making all his money on re-test fees and I was only one of many disapprovals in a short timespan. I am over the anger of that situation and I know better than to use it as an excuse, but I think I have a bonafide issue on my hands here that I need to get over.
As I work towards my commercial I need to sort this out and put it behind me. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
That dpe actually did you a favor, your school failed you. Everyone messes up. Start from that. You've already had many great suggestions here, at least for the most part. Just remember, do what they ask, build a picture in your head as to how it's supposed to work, confirm that it will work on a chart. Generally you will get an instruction that makes sense. For instance, if you are best lined up for a right base, that is most likely what you will get. Most towers have radar now, some don't. Either case it's important to get your cardinal direction from the airport pretty close. West, northwest, southwest, south, whatever, try to get it right. If an instruction doesn't make sense, ask.
I was going into Fort Myers one day, and had that name in my head. I was getting vectored around for traffic, I was vfr and it was busy. He cleared me direct to Page, I asked him to spell it for me, lol, as soon as he said "Page field", I realized it was the airport. I laughed and told him sorry, I was thinking Fort Meyers. He was a good guy and told me "no problem, it's always better to make sure we are on the same page."
You should have charts out when flying, and better yet you should be using something like ForeFlight. That's what I use, I have the extended centerlines for the runways turned on, and at unfamiliar places I'll load a VFR approach when I know which runway to use. It really helps double checking that what I'm planning, that what I was told makes sense and will work.
And remember, Controllers have bad days too, don't take any BS personally, just get what you need out of them and move on.
It's not scary, just make sure you prep yourself. Once you get a routine down, it literally takes about 30 seconds. If something doesn't feel right, ask for clarification.
Your school failed you by not telling you how to enter a downwind at a controlled tower. If you are already on the downwind, but 5 miles out, just fly the downwind, don't maneuver for the 45 unless specifically told to do so.
You're not alone, I've heard other pilots get crap for doing things like that. Now you know.
