Looking for a Book about improving ATC Comms
 

I'm in the process of finishing my Instrument Rating and I have noticed that compared to my training for PPL, my instructors don't drill in me the proper and concise usage of certain IFR terminology and phraseology.

So I'm looking for something to supplement that.

I sometimes find myself pausing or speaking plainly when given certain approach instructions instead of rattling them off concisely and quickly.

For example, "Descend and maintain 2000 until established on ILS runway 03. Cleared for the ILS 03 approach contact tower on ......".

Is there a really good book or an online source that you can recommend?

Just read back what they say and the rest will come with experience

FAA 7110.65 that is their manual just read the tower and radar chapters. Then you will understand what they mean

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/pcg.pdf

The above and IFR comms DVD and YouTube vids.
Pretty much everything can be found online.
Shoddy instructors lead to shoddy comms.

Thanks for all the helpful info.

ATC Comms
 

I am an ATCer and have actually put together a speech on this topic. The 7110.65 is the FAA Order that governs air traffic (FARs are not needed since we are internal employees, for now anyway). In addition to that, each ATC facility has a local SOP approved by the Air Traffic Manager. Therefore, each facility may do things slightly different.

With that being said, make sure you read back anything to do with an altitude, heading or approach. I don't care about hearing the wind check I gave you, but I DO care about the other things.

Also, even though it is a common practice among some pilots not to read back clearances, always read your clearances back (even frequency changes). Don't do the double mic click or just saying your call sign. That does not give the controller the opportunity to listen for a mistake. If a mistake happens, then it creates a lot more work for the controller if you misheard something (or if the controller gave you the wrong clearance).

Make sure you know what the Pilot/Controller glossary says about "Immediately", "Expedite", "Roger" vs "Affirmative". If you are in an emergency situation either use Mayday, Mayday, Mayday or say "Emergency". Pan Pan is still in the book but not in common use anymore.

Finally, realize that most controllers are not pilots. If a controller is not understanding something, tell them in plain language. I worked with a guy that didn't know what steep turns to the left then right actually meant. So if ATC seams confused, spell it out to them (left 360 degree turn followed by an immediate right 360 degree turn).

In the end, the best way is to repeat the clearance back exactly as the controller said it, minus the wind check (or other irrelevant items). The pilots that use their own phraseology for read backs usually are not effective with their read back or take more on the frequency than if the pilot said it verbatim. Eventually you will learn simple ways to abbreviate your read backs while keeping it effective and brief.

I had the same issue when i started my instrument phase. It really does all come in time. Like the others said above, try to leave out the not needed words like the wind checks and stuff. It will definitely all come with time. Goodluck :)