2022-02 · NASA ASRS report 1879484
GA flight instructor reported unprofessional behavior by airport Tower Controller in directing aircraft in traffic pattern.
On a training flight with a student. We were transitioning to OXR airport for landing practice because [the] pattern was saturated. We were told to contact OXR Tower. We contacted OXR Tower and were sequenced behind Aircraft Y on final. We slowed our aircraft as much as was safe. Aircraft Y had landed and the Tower yelled at the pilot to get airborne. We realized Aircraft Y would not be off the runway in time for us to land so we had to go around. We were approximately 300-400 feet AGL as we started to go around. Aircraft Y was a touch and go and would be right in our path on lift off so we had to maneuver slightly left or right to avoid the aircraft. We chose to turn slightly left of the runway to avoid Aircraft Y. I chose to offset left so I as the Flight Instructor could keep Aircraft Y in sight as they became airborne and to keep a safe distance. At this point the Tower Controller screamed multiple times you are going to hit the Tower. At no time were we anywhere near the Tower. We were just offsetting slightly south to avoid the aircraft that had just become airborne. My student wondered what he was screaming about and was a bit shaken. I took over the aircraft at this point. He then instructed us to come back and land. He had us turn right crosswind. We were established on right crosswind and he then told us to turn left crosswind and make left traffic. We landed; taxied back; and returned to ZZZ.In all my years of flying I had never encountered such an unprofessional and completely out of control screaming controller. There was no need for that behavior and lack of professionalism and control. As pilots we often make decisions quickly and always in the interest of safety. This was one of those instances. We made a safe choice and were never close to the Tower. We were maneuvering to avoid an aircraft on the runway. Because of the Controller's actions; we no longer felt comfortable to stay at OXR. As instructors we try to keep a calm and safe learning environment for our students. When a student encounters a Controller that is screaming it is very unnerving to the training environment and completely unprofessional and jeopardizes the safety of the flight.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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