AC 90-66C recommends avoiding what type of instrument approach to reduce midair collision risk when arriving at a non-towered airport in VFR conditions?

• A. Fly a straight-in approach
• B. Use a circling approach only
• C. Avoid flying a straight-in approach
• D. Land immediately

Answer: (C)

Arriving at a non-towered airport in VFR, pilots rely on see-and-avoid and radio announcements to stay clear of other traffic, since there’s no controlling tower to sequence arriving aircraft. Flying a straight-in instrument approach concentrates traffic onto the final approach path with limited opportunity to see other airplanes that may be in the vicinity or on different arrival routes. By avoiding the straight-in, you keep yourself in a position where you can better observe and communicate with other pilots in the area, reducing the chance of a midair collision. In practice, you’d typically use the pattern or a circling approach to maintain that visual awareness and separation. Landing immediately or insisting on a circling-only approach aren’t the guidance here, and they don’t address the risk of conflicting traffic during a straight-in path.