Date: 201207
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Fog; 0
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Caravan 208B
Operator: Air Taxi
Operating under: Part 135
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Second aircraft: Thunderbolt II (Warthog A-10)
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Automation Aircraft TA; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Aircraft; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: I picked up an IFR clearance airborne and the Controller located the aircraft; which was maintaining VFR; and assigned a southerly heading. I replied that I was unable to comply due to the Part 135.183 glide requirement of passenger operations. The Controller told me to hold until they could 'work me in' at which time I indicated I had a filed flight plan. I was given clearance to the intersection at 8;000 FT. The Controller lost my transponder and then identified me again near the intersection. She vectored me from the intersection on a 240 heading; which took me over the airport and just southeast of the field on what I anticipated were vectors for 04R. I was descended to 6;000. Solid IMC continued. I never obtained a visual on anything within 5 to 10 miles of the airport through breaks in the clouds below. I was switched to the next Controller who gave me a 190 heading and assigned me an altitude of 3;000 or below (I can't recall). I determined that this would likely put me in violation of FAR 135.183; and I advised the Controller. He queried why I couldn't comply and I explained the regulation briefly. He told me I should 'get another plane.' He vectored me just offshore at 3;000; which kept me in glide range. The aircraft is supposed to glide 2 NM for every 1;000 FT; in calm wind. At 3;000 FT; I was thus limited to 6 miles from shore. I was vectored in IMC south and at a point approximately five miles off shore; the Controller advised that he was going to keep me on that heading for another 2 NM. I contacted the Approach Controller and advised him that I could not do that and needed to turn in. He said he couldn't turn me in sooner and I stated that I would have to declare an emergency if he didn't. He told me 'go ahead then.' I declared an emergency and gave myself an immediate turn into shore. I was still totally IMC. At this point; the Controller identified one or two A-10 Warthog military aircraft within three miles of my position. I advised him that I could not see anything and that I was completely IMC. My TAS alerted me to traffic and I saw '-100' immediately near my aircraft on all screens. I think I may have come close to one of these aircraft in the process. I was vectored onto the ILS and eventually broke out of the IMC at around the FAF and landed.




Synopsis: C208 pilot on an IFR flight plan in IMC informs ATC that he cannot be more than two miles off shore for every 1000 feet of altitude; in order to comply with FAR 135.183. With the aircraft being vectored directly off shore and approaching the limit; an emergency is declared and a turn in initiated. This results in a NMAC with a military aircraft.