I quite agree with tmmorris that one can look up the approach plates on the ais website, but VFR pilots are unlikely to carry a complete set of plates with them. Thus they won't know the details of the procedure of a field they're passing.
Instrument approach traffic may be inbound on ANY of the runways (though most probably the into wind runway in use). Procedure traffic may also be outbound on runway track (i.e. the reciprocal of the inbound track), or up to 30 degrees either side. The procedure can extend to 10 miles out, sometimes 15 (eg Manchester 24), and extend up to at least 2000 feet, sometimes 3500. The highest point in the procedure is often (but not always) overhead the field. The approach may start with a DME arc, which means arrivals circle the field typically 7-10 miles out before turning in to final approach.
In other words, if you don't know the procedure in use, traffic on the procedure could be moving in any direction anywhere within 10-15 miles of the field, anywhere up to about 3500 feet. And if there's IR traffic arriving, there's probably IR traffic departing.
Sounds like a good reason to talk to ATC when you're anywhere near a field with an instrument approach (unless you're getting a radar service from someone else). I admit I've not always done so, but now try to make a point of it.
Last edited by FREDAcheck; 18th Mar 2007 at 23:56.
Reason: (minor clarification)