Confession: I suck at talking to ATC
07-29-2010, 07:45 PM
#31
pants on the ground
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: back seat
Posts: 1,358
a very basic way to look at talking to ATC, its like talking on the phone with a friend.
(Bill calling friend before caller I.D.) its Bill, wasup Ted, ready for an excellent adventure.
(You calling ATC) Skyhawk ####, Airport Name, inbound for landing.
(Bill calling friend before caller I.D.) its Bill, wasup Ted, ready for an excellent adventure.
(You calling ATC) Skyhawk ####, Airport Name, inbound for landing.
07-30-2010, 06:24 AM
#32
Day puke
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Out.
Posts: 3,865
Break out your charts, make up a cross country, and dirt-fly (finger-fly, or chair-fly whatever your term is) with someone else (you pilot, him ATC) or play both parts yourself. Anticipate where you will be switched from clearance, to ground, to tower, departure, center, atis, approach, tower, and ground.
Also, (and Tony correct me if I am wrong, but I had good luck with this) especially in busy airspace, don't be afraid to say "unfamilliar" or something similar. I found admitting I was a rookie, gave the controller a heads up to talk a bit slower and anticipate I might botch something up something like using the prefix "Student Pilot".
And don't be afraid to ask for progressive taxi. It may p*ss off ground. But an incursion will p*ss off a whole lot more people.... or worse.
I guess I live by the thought: it is better to look stupid, than prove you ARE stupid.
Also, (and Tony correct me if I am wrong, but I had good luck with this) especially in busy airspace, don't be afraid to say "unfamilliar" or something similar. I found admitting I was a rookie, gave the controller a heads up to talk a bit slower and anticipate I might botch something up something like using the prefix "Student Pilot".
And don't be afraid to ask for progressive taxi. It may p*ss off ground. But an incursion will p*ss off a whole lot more people.... or worse.
I guess I live by the thought: it is better to look stupid, than prove you ARE stupid.
07-30-2010, 06:30 AM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Posts: 299
The VATSIM idea is good, but be prepared to deal with a bunch of 13-14 year olds who have incorrect phraseology fulfilling their ATC fantasies. You don't want to learn bad habits, but hopefully it will get you in the swing of things. Also, don't be surprised if the VATSIM folks aren't familiar with VFR procedures as they're 90%+ handling IFR jets I think.
You may want to consider taking some tower tours to meet the controllers in person and chat with them. Maybe seeing them in person, talking to them, learning what they like and what they don't like could be useful for you.
You may want to consider taking some tower tours to meet the controllers in person and chat with them. Maybe seeing them in person, talking to them, learning what they like and what they don't like could be useful for you.
07-30-2010, 07:49 AM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: BE50C (A), BE95 (A), C172S (B)
Posts: 349
Originally Posted by mmaviator
thanks for reminding me of one of my nightmares. I like to add "A/C callsign....Ground/Tower/Dep/App." and wait for a call back. I.E. "Skyhawk 123 Palwaukee Tower" response: "Skyhawk Go ahead"
Say everything once and stop jamming up the frequency.
Say everything once and stop jamming up the frequency.
"Tower, N12345"
"N12345, whadayawant?"
Also, don't be surprised if the VATSIM folks aren't familiar with VFR procedures as they're 90%+ handling IFR jets I think.
Also, (and Tony correct me if I am wrong, but I had good luck with this) especially in busy airspace, don't be afraid to say "unfamilliar" or something similar. I found admitting I was a rookie, gave the controller a heads up to talk a bit slower and anticipate I might botch something up something like using the prefix "Student Pilot".
And don't be afraid to ask for progressive taxi. It may p*ss off ground. But an incursion will p*ss off a whole lot more people.... or worse.
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