Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Safety (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/safety/)
-   -   ATC Readback - Hearback (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/safety/66570-atc-readback-hearback.html)

nitefltguy 04-15-2012 06:35 AM

Readbacks
 
I gotta agree with the first ATC poster:

I hear a number of crews, including our own, who will read back an altitude as "three-three-oh".
If it was Oh it would be Oscar according to ICAO standard phraseology.

Standard usage helps immensely when flying in Europe or places where English is not the primary language.

HIFLYR 04-15-2012 08:40 AM


Originally Posted by cyras21 (Post 1166041)
"COA1067 two-seven-zero"

What clearance was just issued?

Was it a heading, altitude, or speed?

What's my point? If I issue (yes I'm a controller) COA1067 cross RIDGY at Flight Level two-seven-zero and you the pilot respond with, COA 1067 two-seven-zero. What assurance do I have that you are acknowledging an altitude assignment and nothing else?

Today for 50 minuetes I logged out of 27 clearances only 3 were read back correctly. Even after asking for an altitude verification the response was numbers only.

Earlier I issued "DALXXX maintain two-six-zero knots" and the response was "DALXXX two-six-zero" and the pilot climbed into traffic.

In my opinion bad phraseology is a problem and we should be concerned. We're bad on both sides of the mic. Fundamentals are not what they used to be. Professionalism is low and complacency is high.

What's the fix? I'm fighting an uphill battle on my end. Too many young kids who know it all and an older generation just too worn out.

This is not meant to be a slam in anyway. I think this is a problem that needs correcting. Am I reading too much into this?

Keep fighting your are right! Proper read back of clearances make it safer for all of us and is required.

cencal83406 04-15-2012 10:04 AM

Thank you for bringing this up. I do my best to be standard, at minimum giving the controllers a clear understanding of my understanding. I agree with the post suggesting a read of the ICAO guide.

mtbthis 04-15-2012 03:51 PM

This one bugs me almost as much as the pilot who makes the straight in at an uncontrolled airport....

When pilots read back their callsign first, and then the request.

Controller: "United XXX runway one zero clear for takeoff"

Pilot: "United XXX clear for takeoff runway one zero"

Sounds like two requests from ATC and if you have two aircraft with similar callsigns, then your just asking for trouble.
This is like radio communication 101.

ksatflyer 04-16-2012 09:17 PM

Its definitely frustrating as a controller (SAT tower/tracon) when pilots use incorrect phraseology. The people who audit our sessions can split hairs like you would not believe. For example, if I call traffic, you see the traffic, I say maintain visual separation with that aircraft and you you read it all back but leave out your callsign... Its very clear to you and I that communication and understanding has been established however, now when you get within less than required separation of that aircraft, Ill be slapped with an error because I didnt ENSURE who had who in sight with lack of call sign being used. Just a silly example. If you dont use the proper call sign, as far as the "tapes" are concerned, it never happened.

LowSlowT2 04-17-2012 05:33 AM


Originally Posted by Timbo (Post 1169514)
What I don't understand is why some guys always read back the instructions first, then put their flight number at the end...ie. they read it back, backwards. I've even tried to do it, to see if it's faster, or easier, but I find it is HARDER to re-arange the instructions, and I always forget my flight number by the time I've read everything else back in front of it!


Originally Posted by mtbthis (Post 1169832)
This one bugs me almost as much as the pilot who makes the straight in at an uncontrolled airport....

When pilots read back their callsign first, and then the request.

Controller: "United XXX runway one zero clear for takeoff"

Pilot: "United XXX clear for takeoff runway one zero"

Sounds like two requests from ATC and if you have two aircraft with similar callsigns, then your just asking for trouble.
This is like radio communication 101.

................................... :D

bbrunton 04-17-2012 07:03 AM

I understand that while pilots are required to read back clearances, the controler is not required to correct an incorrect readback... However, the pilot is still responsible for complying with the clearance as issued by the controller.

Sounds like a catch 22 to me.

Bill

jmcmanna 04-17-2012 07:15 AM


Originally Posted by bbrunton (Post 1170582)
I understand that while pilots are required to read back clearances, the controler is not required to correct an incorrect readback... However, the pilot is still responsible for complying with the clearance as issued by the controller.

Sounds like a catch 22 to me.

Bill

Actually, the opposite is true. If a pilot incorrectly reads back a clearance and the controller missed the bad read-back and a loss of separation ensures, the controller will get hit with the deal.

Just about 2 weeks ago we had a controller point out traffic at 7000 to an airplane that was at 8000 using correct phraseology. The pilot said, "roger, 7000" and then descended to 7000. There was a loss of separation and the controller got hit with an operational error.

Heck, I once had a 737 with a stuck mic cause a loss of separation between that 737 and a King Air. I could even hear that the 737 crew had the King Air in sight (they were talking about it). The FAA still got me with an operational error despite the stuck mic and the fact that the 737 had the conflicting aircraft in sight in VFR conditions.

mtbthis 04-17-2012 05:08 PM


Originally Posted by TimboWhat (Post 1170544)
I don't understand is why some guys always read back the instructions first, then put their flight number at the end...ie. they read it back, backwards. I've even tried to do it, to see if it's faster, or easier, but I find it is HARDER to re-arange the instructions, and I always forget my flight number by the time I've read everything else back in front of it!

So when a controller says: XXX climb to FL250

You say: XXX climbing to FL250 as opposed to Climb to FL250 XXX

And you don't get why?


Originally Posted by LowSlowT2 (Post 1170544)
................................... :D

This is THAT guy...Classic :cool:

LowSlowT2 04-19-2012 07:47 AM


Originally Posted by mtbthis (Post 1170932)
This is THAT guy...Classic :cool:

Nope...just pointing out two different opinions on the thread within a post or two of each other. Both seem passionate. Opinions are like....err...ummm...noses (yeah, that's it, noses) - everyone has one and they all smell. ;)

Personally, I do both. If I'm not in a terminal area, I typically read back as read to me, to include callsign first. If I'm being vectored for approach and get the typically long-winded, "XX turn left heading 220, descend and maintain 1,600 until established on a segment of the approach, cleared ILS RWY XX" - I'm far more inclined to read back that mouthful and add my callsign at the end....you should know where you are and if that call was for you or not....


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:26 PM.


Website Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands