Your flight instructions guide


Radio instructions

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



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