Mic double click

Crane Pilot

Crane Pilot

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Jun 26, 2015
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central florida
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crane pilot
Is it ever acceptable to use a double click as a response to an ATC transmission for a non directive ( like just an altimeter setting).
 
sometimes when I'm on final and tower gives me the winds I might give a quick double click, not always tho.
 
Technically, the only time it is really 'acceptable' is in situations that don't actually require a response.

That said, like eman, I will occasionally double click in response to something like a wind check.
 
I would read back an altimeter setting just so ATC knows that you heard it correctly. To echo what eman said, a double tap after a wind report would be an appropriate time, but for good measure, read back any instructions that ATC gives. If they are just telling you something such as "N123 traffic no factor" then a double click would be fine.
 
Sure, just not for anything that requires, per the FAR, a response, if you're cleared for landing, Id repeat (if even for the "tapes") 35Z cleared for landing RWY 05L, or a cleared into the bravo, R1234 is cold, etc.

If it's just a "altimeter 29.32", or "have a nice day", or "advise tops", or something doubble click is OK IMO
 
I only do it to reply to non-business comments like good day, thanks for your help, etc.
 
It's useless. You don't need to acknowledge a wind check or a have a nice day. The controller doesn't know who double clicks the mic.
 
jordane93 said:
It's useless. You don't need to acknowledge a wind check or a have a nice day. The controller doesn't know who double clicks the mic.
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I think of it more like a "thank you" type courtesy, which is also worthless if you are talking about practical communication.
 
I don't do it. I will say this: particilary on a busy frequency, there's a certain cadence. ATC speaks, someone replies. Someone calls ATC, ATC replies. When someone is waiting to jump in on frequency, they're listening to the reply to the initial transmission. If the reply is delayed, or never comes, it delays folks who are getting ready to key up. So a reply--any reply, including a click click--is preferable to nothing as it closes out the communication and lets the controller move on to the next instruction, or allows the next person waiting to check in to key up.

Personally I just use my abbreviated call sign (when previously abbreviated by ATC of course) instead of a click click. Just as brief.
 
I have a golfing buddy who's from south africa. I call him 'click click' cause he knows how to speak that african click click language.
 
Crane Pilot said:
Is it ever acceptable to use a double click as a response to an ATC transmission for a non directive ( like just an altimeter setting).
Click to expand...

FYI, according to SoCal Tracon they need to hear a readback of at least your tail number as confirmation to an altimeter setting call. "Roger, 456" is perfectly acceptable but a double click would not be.

I hear the double click once in while but I prefer "Roger, 456" or "Thanks, 456"
 
I've really only experienced this on an inter flight "tactical frequency", end even then, only with the saltiest of senior aviators. As a more junior guy, it didn't bother me, however as a more senior guy now, it kind of annoys me specifically because on several occasions during my career, what sounded like a double click was actually a guy trying to talk to me that was effectively nordo. If I'm the flight lead, I need to know that, without just assuming a guy is being too cool for school. In my experience, the professional aviators out there don't do this, regardless of rank, but in short, I'm not a fan. I can't imagine the scenario where this practice would be acceptable outside an inter flight freq with ATC.
 
Shawn said:
FYI, according to SoCal Tracon they need to hear a readback of at least your tail number as confirmation to an altimeter setting call. "Roger, 456" is perfectly acceptable but a double click would not be.

I hear the double click once in while but I prefer "Roger, 456" or "Thanks, 456"
Click to expand...

Really?
 
Yup...during the Q&A of the TRACON tour, the subject of altimeter readback came up and they said at minimum they need your tail # to confirm you received the call. Don't know if that is national standard but it is what SoCal expects.

Makes sense out west where we can have pretty big altimeter setting swings from area to area up and down the state and everyone needs to be on the same playing field.
 
When they say "stand by" I'll do it. Wind checks I will do it if my thumb or finger is right there but I wouldn't reach for a mic to do it. I don't really remember any other specific times, but I'm sure I've done it on other things like that where no response is obviously required or even wanted. Like some said above it's just kinda a thank you.
 
Shawn said:
FYI, according to SoCal Tracon they need to hear a readback of at least your tail number as confirmation to an altimeter setting call. "Roger, 456" is perfectly acceptable but a double click would not be.

I hear the double click once in while but I prefer "Roger, 456" or "Thanks, 456"
Click to expand...

I respond with my tail number, You are just confirming 2 way contact, I will repeat alt setting if substantially different than current.
 
Velocity173 said:
Unless you're military and under certain circumstances, no requirement to read back the altimeter. Tail number and "roger" would suffice.
Click to expand...

I only read them back when it's a large jump from my current setting, or if it seems like a flip, 29.12 going to 29.21. Flown in SoCals sandbox, never been quested about it o_O
 
I did a "roger, 456" to Point Mugu Approach once. And I got told "I need you to read back the altimeter setting." So I did. And now I read back the full thing every time I get it at every hand off. I don't care if I sound like a goober. I talk pretty damn fast on the radio so I don't feel like it is an incredibly onerous use of bandwidth.
 
I spoke with a controller that said I should always read back the altimeter setting. It's one of the more important pieces of information they give you and they want to make sure you are on the same page with respect to altitude.
 
MassPilot said:
I spoke with a controller that said I should always read back the altimeter setting. It's one of the more important pieces of information they give you and they want to make sure you are on the same page with respect to altitude.
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I agree and virtually always do, except I always shorten it to (e.g.) "zero zero two", typically with no other words, so it takes a split second. There is another reason to read it back in that often it's ATC's way of verifying you've heard them after checking into their sector.
 
MassPilot said:
I spoke with a controller that said I should always read back the altimeter setting. It's one of the more important pieces of information they give you and they want to make sure you are on the same page with respect to altitude.
Click to expand...

What one controller deems important might be insignificant to another. The difference between what's required and what's technique.
 
Crane Pilot said:
Is it ever acceptable to use a double click as a response to an ATC transmission for a non directive ( like just an altimeter setting).
Click to expand...
This is from FCC regulations, to which you are subject if you use the aircraft radio:
87.107 Station identification.
(a) Aircraft station. Identify by one of the following means:
(1) Aircraft radio station call sign.

This is from the AIM:
4-2-3. Contact Procedures
a. Initial Contact.
1. The terms initial contact or initial callup means the first radio call you make to a given facility or the first call to a different controller or FSS specialist within a facility. Use the following format:
(a) Name of the facility being called;
(b) Your full aircraft identification as filed in the flight plan or as discussed in paragraph 4-2-4, Aircraft Call Signs;

y personal take on it is that clicking is never a substitute for a callsign.

Bob Gardner
 
I never do the click-click thing, I always read back altimeter settings, and I never use abbreviated call sign. (please see the Short Tail Number thread :confused:)
 
Just musing...what would happen at a busy airport if everyone responded to an instruction/clearance with two mike clicks? It would be a madhouse, rivaled only by the madness in the tower. Maybe someone might think it funny to just sit in a plane on the ramp and respond to every tower transmission with mike clicks. The mind boggles....

Bob
 
Shawn said:
Makes sense out west where we can have pretty big altimeter setting swings from area to area up and down the state and everyone needs to be on the same playing field.
Click to expand...

Barometric isobars never get close together anywhere but out west? Who knew? ;)

mulligan said:
The big boys around here like to say Tree Zero Dot Nothing.
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I just can't bring myself to do the Tree thing, and I've been using all sorts of radio phonetics for jobs and real stuff for most of my adult life. It just sounds too stupid.
 
I don't do tree or fife, and 9er half the time. And I will double click the mic for an acknowledgement that doesn't require a reply if there's little radio traffic as a courtesy. I won't do it for a readback or anything that requires a reply.
 
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