Tony, is that ATC over-ride feature something that you would like to see personally or is it something actually in the works? A mic click attenuator would also be a nice thing.

 

Although those of us flying 767-300s in VATSIM would appreciate it if you could do not less than 120 on short final

But yes, that's a great way to learn to talk on the radio, especially IFR stuff. They have a few procedural differences, but it'll help you out.

 

And for heaven sakes, don't start all your transmissions with "And,". This may sound stupid, but more and more I've been hearing this - especially with some of the older pilots but even students are doing it.

"And local tower, Cessna 123 direct runway 36R"
"And local tower, Cessna 123, 36R at Alpha ready for departure"
"And local departure, Cessna 123 3,000 climbing 5,000"
"And local airport, Cessna 123 short final 36, local airport"
And? And what?!?

/pet peeve

But as others have said, spent sometime listening to live atc. The more and more you listen, the more you hear there is a certain formula and that each transmission follows a template, as does the read back.

I remember the first time I was issued an approach clearance. Didn't get a word of it but my instructor read it back no problem. Second time same thing happened. Third time it was about to happen then suddenly it clicked - I read the clearance back almost without knowing what I was saying!

 

ATC supervisor Randal Eicher at ZOA wrote me up almost 20 years ago for saying "good day" to pilots.

It wasn't in the phraseology handbook !!

He was a class act himself.

 

Well, in a word, "yes" to both. But, with the usual caveats. What if the ATC dude is sitting on the transmit buttom? There needs to be some type of automatic release after XX seconds. Maybe 10.

Also, I'd say that there needs to be some type of emergency override by the crews that also locks everybody out for 5 seconds or so... enough to get out, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Cactus 1549".

The stuck mike thingys should be in every plane now, as part of the certification (but I think that gets in the FCC area).

 

Go to my website and download the three KTLH Radio Communication files in the "- Download files -" tab. Print them out, memorize them and give it to someone and tell them to pretend that they are ATC. It has worked for all my students that had issues with radio comms. Good luck!

 

You'll be fine after a while. You'll be around everyone else talking, etc... no problem...like Cubdriver said - there's only so many formats/phrases to use.

IMHO - it's all about the confidence of knowing what's going on, who you're talking to and what you/they want. Just keep it concise, be courteous.

Here's a couple things that really suck:
- People taking up a CTAF freq talking about meaningless crap.
- Instructors that call people names and "police" the uncontrolled pattern...
- People that go on and on and on on the freq - just get in and get out, no need to tell your life story to a controller.

 

Thank you for the advice. I may have to rework my thinking on a few calls now with that.

PS After a quick reread of my last post I did leave one part out, I'll typically say left or right midfield on the call. Though I have almost never state the runway used and always call to tower. Which, in light of your comment, now seems silly.

 

I've always been a believer that overall, less is more, so by keeping to the simple rules of Tail#, Location, Intentions(briefly), you get just as much done.

A Purdue Professor said it best. "Know what you want to say, and say it!" Mitch Grundman

 

If they only have one runway, you could probably leave that out also. "Cessna 123, midfield, left downwind."