I was flying into Austin (KAUS) and was given this request:"UAL257 cleared to land 17L sidestep 17R" I was 4 miles out at this time already lined up with 17L and visibility was perfect. I think I blew this one and landed at 17L. Did the controller want me to swing over to 17R?

I was flying into Austin (KAUS) and was given this request:"UAL257 cleared to land 17L sidestep 17R" I was 4 miles out at this time already lined up with 17L and visibility was perfect. I think I blew this one and landed at 17L. Did the controller want me to swing over to 17R?

yes.............

You usually get this if you asked for a change of runway without a change of approach. It will have you setup on the assigned approach, which is usually the ILS approach for the original assigned runway, but then clear you to land on the runway requested via a sidestep instruction if the runway is parallel or a Circle to land if across or opposite runway. I never seen this instruction given though without a user requested change.

Once he accepts the Sidestep, he should have received a "cleared to land runway One-Seven Right"... correct? Either that or ask for one... right? I want to hear those words, "Cleared to Land" on the appropriate runway.And as far as "blowing it," if he was issued a clearance to land on One-Seven Left and only acknowledged the Landing Clearance: "Roger, United 257 Cleared to Land Runway One-Seven Left" seems to me he's refused the Sidestep maneuver to One-Seven Right and has his clearance to land (for the time being) on One-Seven Left ... is this correct?

KAUS approach cleared me for the 17L approach via a heading of 190 from CWK VOR. On my way to intercept 17L ILS has asked me if I had the field in sight. I responded "Have the field in sight", He told me to contact tower.I told AUS tower "Tower, United 257 is with you, 5 miles out on 17L appraoch"I believe he responded, "UAL257, clreard for 17L approach (or cleared to land 17L) sidestep 17R". If he said sidestep TO 17R, I may have got it, but "sidestep 17R" was a warning I thought.I did not know ewhat he meant, so rather than asking (he was busy), I simply said "Cleared to land 17L,United 257.So I made several mistakes including not clearifying what he said because I didn't understand it. But I figured swing over to 17R with 5 miles left would be tricky and since there was no traffic in front of me - I thought he was warnning me of 17R traffic or something like that.This is one job you can't learn as you go by trial and error

But I figured swing over to 17R with 5 miles left would be tricky and since there was no traffic in front of me - I thought he was warnning me of 17R traffic or something like that.

You have to do the side-step manoeuvre immediately after having the landing (the side-step one) runway in sight. A five mile final is plenty of distance to do a side-step in normal condition. This is now a visual approach, so actually you can get stabilised anywhere down to 500ft; below that you should be on final, in landing configuration, on speed and on proper altitude and heading.Best regards

I don't think it was a legal clearance. Per AIM 5-4-19 on Sidestep Maneuver:ATC may authorize a standard instrument approach procedure which serves either one of parallel runways that are separated by 1,200 feet or less followed by a straight‐in landing on the adjacent runway. But 17L/R seem to be way more than that. It should have been cleared approach type such as ILS 17L approach, circle to land 17R IMHO. Besides, I think there has to be published Sidestep minima on the IAP chart for ATC to give it, otherwise how does the pilot know what MDA to use? the S-LOC?.scott s..

I am not a pilot and the ATC advanced commands really get me. For this reason, I'll NEVER fly for real. If I get that "circle to land" command which I heard before, what the heck do I do. Say I am on final to 17L and I get a "circle to land 17R" as you mentioned - what do I do?

I am not a pilot and the ATC advanced commands really get me. For this reason, I'll NEVER fly for real. If I get that "circle to land" command which I heard before, what the heck do I do. Say I am on final to 17L and I get a "circle to land 17R" as you mentioned - what do I do?

I can't think of anywhere a "circle to land" is published for parallel runways. ... NomenclatureThat being said, circle to lands are published and can be found in many approaches in Terminal Procedures Charts. On your cheap NACO charts, it's found at the bottom right in the "CIRCLING" criteria. All that is given for these maneuvers is a minimum decent altitude--the proverbial "sheet of glass".***You fly the precision or non-precision approach down to CIRCLING MINIMUMS and then circle to land on the wind-favored runway. There are many different tactics, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the friggin runway close :( . Read this simple article: http://www.terps.com/ifrr/nov97.pdf

It should have been cleared approach type such as ILS 17L approach, circle to land 17R IMHO.

Say I am on final to 17L and I get a "circle to land 17R" as you mentioned - what do I do?

But then again, you're not circling, that's why you side-step instead. Do not confuse those two. Circling is to land on an "opposite" runway, side-step is to land on a parallel runway.Now the minimums issue. AFAIK, you start the side-step manoeuvre immediately after having the landing runway in sight. Side-stepping is a visual manoeuvre, so this procedure shouldn't be authorised/accepted when the weather is crappy.

There are many different tactics, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the friggin runway close :(

That's sounds about right! :( The one astronauts use, though, is to turn the airplane 45

As Zach said you won't get circle to land to a parrallel only a side-step. Side-step can be done with a IAP or once you have a visual (airport in sight) they will give you a visual side-step. Normally it is for faster traffic behind or needs of ATC. In your case pauly, once you were stabilized and on a normal approach to 17L and could see 17R and commence an approach without erratic or abnormal maneuvers you needed to move over to 17R. If for some reason Pauly you didn't want to side-step you could always decline the ATC clearance. You might get good at holding and may need to explain why you didn't want to side-step but the PIC has the last say.Also people need to remember the AIM is a guide of best practices / common procedures for operating in the National Airspace System. They are not regulatory and cannot be used to determine a "legal" clearance. However, with our Govt there is always a caviat. If you fail to follow the guidance of the AIM the FAA ASI will surely ding you under 91.13 Careless and Wreckless Operation. And there are ways around 91.13 as well, like the NASA ASRS.

However, with our Govt there is always a caviat. If you fail to follow the guidance of the AIM the FAA ASI will surely ding you under 91.13 Careless and Wreckless Operation. And there are ways around 91.13 as well, like the NASA ASRS.

Very funny. Very true. :( Seriously though; Mentioning the AIM is great. It has a wealth of information that is helpful to hardcore simmers.

Seriously though; Mentioning the AIM is great. It has a wealth of information that is helpful to hardcore simmers.

...and real world pilots! :(