Approach/Vectoring

[TheExDid_HD]

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a good day.

I was on approach into Zurich on expert today when I was being vectored into a specific runway. I was following instructions, and flying the heading set by ATC. However, after flying a certain heading for some time, I noticed that I began leaving the airspace of the airport. I was planning on asking for vectors, but, after previous attempts ending with “avoid duplicate messages” I decided not to, instead I turned 10 degrees toward the runway and was immediately reported. So I was wondering, any way to avoid this in the future?

[Tsumia]

I think this belongs in #live but correct me if im wrong. IFATC do know what they’re doing and know why they’re vectoring you since they are well trained. Zurich is a busy airspace right now and IFATC is busy dealing with lots of aircraft. You should still just wait for further instructions. They’ll get to you eventually.

Thanks!

[infiniteflight_17]

Said earlier by an IFATC supervisor in a similar topic made earlier.

Disappointing Event

Obviously the airspace you were flying into was very busy at the time, as is expected with all Friday Night Flight events - and therefore we only allow the most seasoned IF Air Traffic Controllers to man the frequencies at these airports.

It seems to me that the radar controller in question was using an approach ‘pattern’ to try and accommodate the high levels of traffic - and this clearly involved you being taken on quite a long path to fit into said pattern. These are usually used to space out traffic appropriately to ensure separation on approach, and ensure there is enough space to allow departures to use the runway in addition to the stream of inbound aircraft. Whilst this does slow your arrival down, it can also ensure that your approach is fairly timed, and that no other aircraft ‘jump the queue’, cutting the line and making it straight into the airport, which would make it unfair to others that have been subjected to the delay.

In addition to this pattern, obviously alpine regions and airports such as Zürich pose other challenges, such as the runway layout, difficult terrain to negotiate, and general airport layout - these can all contribute to how long your wait may be on approach, or waiting to depart. This may be part of the reason why you were delayed so much - there is only a maximum efficiency that even the most experienced Air Traffic Controllers can obtain at airports such as these.

[TheCommentator]

Yes, follow instructions and be patient.