Chris Findley, CFI, CFIImyFlightCoach.com

Laying the GroundworkWe often begin instruction on communication with what to say on the micBUT good communication begins with thinking not speaking!

Thinking Before You SpeakGood Aviation Communication begins with:VisualizationDo I understand both where I am and where am I in the ATC system? Do I understand what I am doing? What is happening around me? How do my operations fit within the system? Do I understand what I want to do and what Im asking of the ATC system?

Thinking Before You SpeakGood Aviation Communication begins with:AnticipationATC Communication is helped by understanding what should come nextAs we listen we can determine probable actions of ATCStaying ahead of the airplane helps us in our communication

Thinking Before You SpeakGood Aviation Communication begins with:AdaptationForrest Gump You never know whatcha gonna git!You may not get what you anticipate, so always be ready (and flexible)Controllers will work with you But dont try to pass PIC responsibility to the controller!

Thinking Before You SpeakSO..good aviation communication begins with:VisualizationAnticipationAdaptation

Thinking Before You SpeakClip of flight vectoring around KBNA (Centurion 0HC)Blue: Desired RouteRed: Actual RouteATC Example: Vectoring Explanation (Listen to this first)

Thinking Before You SpeakSO..good aviation communication begins with:VisualizationAnticipationAdaptation

Then we can worry about how to speak and what to say!

Basics of Communication

DODONTSpeak clearly, distinctlyMumbleSpeak at a quick paceRush it (no auctioneers!)Speak honestlyAgree to anything you think is not safeAsk for guidance if neededRefuse help you need

Basics of CommunicationCommunication usually starts with an initial callup (specifically airborne in B,C, or D airspace)At a non-towered airport, its similar, but you self-announce your position relative to the airport

Basics of Communication4 Ws for initial call upW Who youre callingW Who you areW Where you areW What you want

In controlled airspace repeat back instructions. Insures that they know that you know, what they have asked you to do!

Basics of CommunicationInitial Call Up in busy airspace:Tune to the freq, and listen for a minute or 2. This helps you not to step on someones transmissionConsider simply saying the first 2 Ws (Who youre calling and who you are) and waiting for acknowledgement This prevents you from tying up the freq and yet establishes communication for Class C (more on that later)

Basics of CommunicationInitial Call Up in busy airspace:After going through the 4 Ws, anticipateAcknowledgement of radar contact and locationTransponder squawk code Any additional instructionsLocal Altimeter SettingRepeat back squawk and instructions

Basics of CommunicationInitial Call Up in busy airspace:If airborne trying to enter Class C airspace, you must establish communicationsThis is simply an exchange which acknowledges you and your tail number

If airborne entering Class B, then you must be cleared by the controller to enter the Class BIf a student pilot, you must be trained and endorsed for the particular Class B

Thinking Before You SpeakClip of Cessna N6457D Initial Callup and flight to KMQYBlue: Desired RouteRed: Actual RouteClip of entering Class C at KBNA

Basics of CommunicationInitial call up for CTAF:If approaching a non-controlled field, begin monitoring CTAF 8-10 miles out and obtain AWOS if availableBegin announcing your location and intentions about 8 miles outAnnounce again as you approach, at pattern entry and on each leg of the pattern.

Basics of CommunicationOn the GroundNon-Towered simply use the 4 Ws to announce your taxi to the runwayTowered, Initial call up is to ground control or clearance delivery. 4WsGround control will provide you with clearance to taxi (do not start taxi until cleared)

Basics of Communication

Basics of CommunicationOn the Ground your call up would be:

Smyrna ground, Skyhawk 6457Delta, at Corporate Flight ramp, VFR to Papa Delta Kilo, 5,500, ready to taxi with the numbers

NOTE: with the numbers means I have listened to the ASOS weather report and active runway info

Basics of CommunicationOn the Ground your call up would be:

Skyhawk 6457Delta, Smyrna Ground, Squawk 5472, taxi to runway 19.

Response: 6457Delta, 5472, and taxi to runway 19

NOTE: If you are going to cross a runway, get clearance to cross a runway before doing so!

Basics of CommunicationOnce youve taxied and runup is complete and youre ready to depart. Go to the tower freq and say:

Smyrna tower, 6457Delta ready to go, runway 19, VFR to Papa Delta KiloTower: Skyhawk 6457Delta, Smyrna Tower, cleared for takeoff runway 19, right turn on course, cleared for take off

Basics of CommunicationOnce airborne, the tower will turn you over to approach/departure and you just need to check in as the tower would have you in the ATC system so App/Dep would be ready for you:

Nashville Departure, Skyhawk 57Delta is with you 2000 for 5,500

Basics of CommunicationNow lets listen in as someone makes a pretty big mistakeunauthorized landing at KPWM (Portland, ME)Try to figure out what went wrongTry to figure out what you would do and why

Basics of CommunicationAircraft: C-172 SkyhawkN982SKClip of Cessnas unauthorized landing

Basics of CommunicationBasic PrinciplesAfter youve established communication you can refer to yourself as your type and the last 3 of your tailnumberIf you need a moment ask the controller to StandbyIf you need to leave the frequency, perhaps to call an FSS, you can make a request to leave the frequency for a momentSet radios up as much as possible on the ground and have your next frequency in the standby section of your radio

Overcoming Mic FrightRehearse: Let your CFI act as controller and rehearse your callups on the groundWalk it Through: literally walk your flight allowing you CFI to be the controller. Build: Start out doing some of the easy calls and build your confidence

Basics of CommunicationBasic PrinciplesLots of info here! Questions?If you want a copy of this presentation and a couple of scripts for rehearsing calls:

Email: chris@myflightcoach.com Follow on Twitter: @myflightcoach

Flight recordings courtesy of www.liveatc.net