Got a great question from a reader by the name of Dutch today. He asked: “When on IFR, and receiving final instructions for an approach, the controller gives you heading and altitude until FAF or glideope intercept. Do you recommend to read back these numbers as well instead of just replying “… Cleared for the …
Today’s topics: How to Violate an Assigned Altitude: A Handy Guide for Pilots. The Super Secret Key to Copying Taxi Clearances. Hint: It’s better than “Say again.” You Talking to Me? Question of the Week: I need to enter Class C airspace and ATC says, “Standby.” Should I wait outside, or enter? Answer to Question …
Radar Contact #4 How to Violate an Assigned Altitude Read More »
Here’s a paragraph from the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) talking about reading back ATC instructions: “The readback of the “numbers” serves as a double check between pilots and controllers and reduces the kinds of communications errors that occur when a number is either “misheard” or is incorrect.” (AIM 4-4-7b.) It’s a good and accurate statement, …
How to Read Back ATC Instructions in Spite of AIM Guidance Read More »
A quick note about the results I’ve been getting for the pop quiz on ATC clearance read backs, posted last week. While quiz takers are completely anonymous, I do get an overall summary of the results. Here is what I’m seeing so far
If you cannot rely upon air traffic control to correct you when you inaccurately read back a clearance, how can you protect yourself? Is this really something to worry about? After all, the FAA says air traffic controllers will listen to clearance read backs from pilots and make corrections when appropriate. (J.O. 7110.65T, Air Traffic …
You think that air traffic control is watching your backside? Think again. In my last article, I said the FAA emphasizes the need for air traffic controllers to “ensure the [pilot’s] read back is correct.” (FAA JO 7110.65T.) Listening for correct responses to air traffic control clearances is called “hear back.” In this article, I …
This is how pilot read back and ATC hear back is supposed to work: 2-4-3. PILOT ACKNOWLEDGMENT/READ BACK a. When issuing clearances or instructions ensure acknowledgment by the pilot. NOTE- Pilots may acknowledge clearances, instructions, or other information by using “Wilco,” “Roger,” “Affirmative,” or other words or remarks. REFERENCE- AIM, Para 4-2-3, Contact Procedures. b. …
It’s Day 3 of a difficult airline trip. I’m not, what’s the word? Mentally fresh. We’ve been sitting for hours at the gate in Raleigh-Durham (RDU), waiting for a line of thunderstorms to pass through Atlanta, our destination. As our fifth (rescheduled) departure time approaches, I dial up RDU clearance delivery in the number one …
No doubt, passively listening to ATC clearances is good head work. The more you listen, the more it makes sense. There are plenty of websites wired into air traffic control communications, including ATC clearance frequencies. You’ve heard that old adage: “What I hear, I generally forget. What I see, I may remember. What I do, …
You would think pro pilots, (and I’m talking about the old noggins who have been working the air traffic control system for decades,) would never miss a clearance or have a misunderstanding. Mostly, they don’t. While not perfect, old pros use four time-honored techniques for getting an ATC clearance right.
