What is the most difficult part of pilots training? Almost everyone says "Talk on the radio." However, even beginners can sound good on the radio if simple rules are applied. First, I need to talk to these rules and then give you some tips that all pilots can use to improve their radio skills.
Fourth Temperature of Radio Communications
Usually, the heaviest radio call is the first – the "initial call" for the pilot. However, every initial call (and many more calls) should only be remembered for the four W:
- Who call it?
- Who am I?
- Where am I? do I do or what do I want to do?
Take two examples for this, an uncontrolled field, and a control tower.
As you are ready to enter the traffic pattern in an uncontrolled field, you will typically announce a notification such as "Milltown's turnover (call me?), Cessna 12345 (who am I?), 45 entry to the mainland I am?), Runway 22 to Milltown
On the control tower, perhaps he says, "Ocala Tower (call me?), Cessna 12345 (who am I?) eight miles north of two thousand five hundred Charlie (where am I (and add ATIS), Ocala landing (what do I want to do?)
After you have made the communication, you do not have to use the four Ws for all communications. Instead, you can only read the critical instructions back to the controller to know they have received them. For example, if the controller asks you to enter runway 24 on the right running edge, it would answer: "Cessna 12345 closes the 24-inch angle."
Try different scenarios with your friends or a flying instructor, and soon you will know what to say at all times.
Even if you know what to say, talking on the radio still requires exercise. Here are some tips that you are not talking about as a professional at a time.
- Listen to ATC communication. If you do not have a radio station that receives the flight frequency, check out if you can rent another pilot or aviation school for a week. Listen to what pilots say to the ATC at their initial call and how they react to ATC directions. Try listening to earth, tower, approach, and midway frequencies if you know.
- Write down what you will say before you start the radio call. To do this, fill out the empty scripts. After a few weeks, most people can make calls, but may continue to make complex calls.
- If you are a student pilot, be sure to call the first call, so the ATC will be more cautious in your hand.
- Do not worry if you forget something. Even experienced pilots sometimes forget to tell the controller about the altitude or whether they have ATIS. Do not worry – the inspectors will ask you something if you forgot.
- See Chapter 4 and the Pilot / Controller Glossary in the Flight Information Guide for the recommended glossary
If all else fails, use simple English! Not all situations can give you the recommended ATC phrases or you just forget to say something. Once I left an unknown airport, and as I called land, suddenly realized that I had no idea where he was at the airport. The call was something like this: "Land of Littletown, Cessna 12345, ummm …" (at this moment greeted me cheerfully) "I am on the Chevron sign, ready to take a taxi with Delta and go west." Whew – Chevron gas signal saved ! I found it and left a cab.