| Now that you have used the Internet to listen | | | | online pilot shops. |
| to live Air Traffic Control (ATC) you might | | | | |
| be interested in how you can learn more about | | | | Okay, 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 you | | | | any airport while using either the VFR or IFR |
| understand the system, know what you want to | | | | systems: |
| 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 flight | | | | organized 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 when | | | | Make 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 you | | | | transmitter 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 listen | | | | controller wants you to read back his message |
| to before you make first contact. You'll get | | | | to 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 phrases | | | | all practice! Learn from the real thing and |
| used in talking to air traffic control, which | | | | you 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 (very | | | | be glad to do so and you will fly much longer |
| high frequencies, 30 to 300 MHz) is used for | | | | this way :-) |
| voice communications. One frequency you will | | | | |
| hopefully never need is 121.5 MHz (Emergency | | | | You 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 of | | | | Did you know that you can turn your home |
| examples for proper radio communication | | | | computer into a radio simulator? You can do |
| techniques. Where to get it? The best way is | | | | it with software you can buy on the web. |