| Now that you have used the Internet to | | | | of examples for proper radio |
| listen to live Air Traffic Control (ATC) | | | | communication techniques. Where to get |
| you might be interested in how you can | | | | it? The best way is online pilot shops. |
| learn more about it. | | | | Okay, what about the helpful strategies? |
| Talking on the radio is easy once you | | | | Well, here is what works for any pilot, |
| understand the system, know what you | | | | flying any size of airplane or |
| want to do, and what you can | | | | helicopter, at any airport while using |
| expect.Proper radio phraseology and a | | | | either the VFR or IFR systems: |
| few helpful strategies will do the rest. | | | | (1) Think before You Talk. |
| One of the first things your flight | | | | Who Am I? Where Am I? What do I want? Be |
| instructor wants you to study is the | | | | organized and plan ahead. |
| international phonetic alphabet. What's | | | | (2) Listen before You Talk. |
| that? Just click on [Radio | | | | Make sure your radio is set properly |
| Communication] in the index to yourleft. | | | | (volume is up, frequency correct |
| You will need it when stating your | | | | selected, transmitter switch positioned |
| aircraft call sign (e.g. | | | | to the radio in use). |
| One-Zero-Lima-Golf) or to confirm that | | | | (3) Read back. |
| you have information Juliet. | | | | "Roger" or "Wilco" just doesn't cut it. |
| Information Juliet, as an example refers | | | | The controller wants you to read back |
| to the letter assigned to a current ATIS | | | | his message to confirm that you |
| (Automated Terminal Information Service) | | | | understand and will comply with his |
| which is taped routine information you | | | | instructions. |
| listen to before you make first contact. | | | | Sounds not too difficult, doesn't it? |
| You'll get the ceiling, visibility, | | | | It's all practice! Learn from the real |
| temperature, wind, altimeter setting, | | | | thing and you will soon talk like a pro |
| runway in use. | | | | on the radio. |
| Next, you'll learn about words and | | | | Finally, if you don'tunderstand a |
| phrases used in talking to air traffic | | | | message, ask the controller to say it |
| control, which can be the center, | | | | again. He will be glad to do so and you |
| approach, tower, ground, or a flight | | | | will fly much longer this way :-) |
| service station. | | | | You can also say that you are a student |
| Another subject is frequencies. VHF | | | | pilot. This signals the controller that |
| (very high frequencies, 30 to 300 MHz) | | | | you may need a little extra help. |
| is used for voice communications. One | | | | Did you know that you can turn your home |
| frequency you will hopefully never need | | | | computer into a radio simulator? You can |
| is 121.5 MHz (Emergency only!). | | | | do it with software you can buy on the |
| The Aeronautical Information Manual | | | | web. |
| (AIM) provides you with details and lots | | | | |