How to practice talking to the tower?

fiveoboy01 said:
I want to visit an ATC facility for this reason, so I can hear them talk off mic;)
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They talk nasty stuff off mike. :D
Nah, well yeah they do, but they're a human being just like you. Same things you may talk about they do too. Amazing huh? ;)
 
mscard88 said:
They talk nasty stuff off mike. :D
Nah, well yeah they do, but they're a human being just like you. Same things you may talk about they do too. Amazing huh? ;)
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I once flew right seat with an active duty Navy tower controller from a nearby NAS. The things he had to say about other tower controllers off-mike were ... priceless. I don't think I ever laughed so much during a flight before or since. And it's a REAL good thing we didn't have a stuck mic, especially after Tower denied him the overhead break in a 182.

For the record, the controllers were fine, if a bit frazzled due to quite a lot of local traffic.
 
At this point as a student, I'm thinking just in winnowing down to the essence of what radio is used for in aircraft.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me it really boils down to "this is my location and intention as to where I am heading and what I am doing" and understanding instructions from the tower when they are involved in order to keep safe separation from other aircraft, AND to understand others as to where they are in relation to you.

To achieve those things, I sometimes need to know how to set instruments, etc. so that I am flying where I think I am flying.

As I mentioned above, I understand that it is important to communicate precisely, and correctly, and to me so far the hardest part is understanding transmissions (answers, instructions, and transmissions received) from others. It may be just the differences people have in how they transmit, at this point it's like I am just focusing on "oh..someone said something...is it pertinent for me?" and by then the transmission is over and I missed almost all of the content.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one that has to go through this and somehow be able to focus (among all the other things I am focusing on) instantly when a transmission comes in.

Our practice area is controlled by a major airport in Norway (Gardemoen ENGM) and when we get there it is almost constant transmissions all the time on some days. I don't know how my instructor "tunes out" traffic that is not for us...I will have to ask him.
 
It's easier to pick up the calls when you really focus on hearing your tail number. It will pop out of the radio clutter with practice.

When I was getting my BFR, I was flying four different rental Cherokee 140s, so I didn't have the luxury of concentrating on a sole number. Of course, it's right there on an instrument panel plaque, but now I'm in trusty 427DK all the time, so I really snap to attention when it's called. Those four different Pipers presented other challenges...different comms, audio panels, transponders (different models and locations) and worst of all, the PTT switches were all in slightly different places. My least favorite had the PTT on a Velcro strap around the yoke, and invariably it would slide around to some odd unreachable position when I needed to use it most.
 
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SoCal RV Flyer said:
It's easier to pick up the calls when you really focus on hearing your tail number. It will pop out of the radio clutter with practice.

When I was getting my BFR, I was flying four different rental Cherokee 140s, so I didn't have the luxury of concentrating on a sole number. Of course, it's right there on an instrument panel plaque, but now I'm in trusty 427DK all the time, so I really snap to attention when it's called. Those four different Pipers presented other challenges...different comms, audio panels, transponders (different models and locations) and worst of all, the PTT switches were all in slightly different places. My least favorite had the PTT on a Velcro strap around the yoke, and invariably it would slide around to some odd unreachable position when I needed to use it most.
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Maybe a stupid question, but do all calls use your tail number? I'm just guessing that "general" calls in non towered airspace are sent out to all but important?
 
LongRoadBob said:
Maybe a stupid question, but do all calls use your tail number? I'm just guessing that "general" calls in non towered airspace are sent out to all but important?
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All calls in controlled airspace utilize your tail number. But when I'm in the uncontrolled practice area, I generally use my coloration. So today was "white and red Cherokee is at 1,000 feet, turns around a point." Figure it's easier to spot a Cherokee or a Cessna based on color scheme than tail number when you're in a congested practice area.
 
ircphoenix said:
All calls in controlled airspace utilize your tail number. But when I'm in the uncontrolled practice area, I generally use my coloration. So today was "white and red Cherokee is at 1,000 feet, turns around a point." Figure it's easier to spot a Cherokee or a Cessna based on color scheme than tail number when you're in a congested practice area.
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It gets a little busy here at the beach on weekends so I tend to follow the same procedure. I make my typical ten and five mile calls inbound then go from sundowner 08Romeo to white and red sundowner in the airport environment. I think it helps.
 
MAKG1 said:
That's very useful, but not technically legal per FCC regs. You have to identify your station.

I'll typically do both. "Green and white Cessna 123XY"
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Station identifier is required once every 30 mins or something, no? Not every transmission?
 
Here is a video that came up on a FB group of a guy fumbling through tower comms in the pattern.

 
ircphoenix said:
Station identifier is required once every 30 mins or something, no? Not every transmission?
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FCC 87.107 dictates the contents of station identification, but does not (that I can find) dictate the frequency of those reports. The AIM and AC 90-42F contain suggested phraseology but
midcap said:
That's what I was looking for.
Thanks.

Then after run up, you ask for permission to take off?
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Don't ask for permission to do anything! You are PIC, not the controller. "Request" is the way to go: "Request lower;" "Request cross runway 13;" "Ready for takeoff;" "Request Class B clearance." Got it? Try my book SAY AGAIN, PLEASE for suggested phraseology. Understand that the AIM says in 4-2-1 "Since concise phraseology may not always be adequate, use whatever words are necessary to get your message across." Sure, there is phraseology that is widely used and accepted, but it is not required by regulation...after awhile you will begin to recognize patterns and will know what to expect.

Bob Gardner
 
ircphoenix said:
Station identifier is required once every 30 mins or something, no? Not every transmission?
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c. Subsequent Contacts and Responses to Callup from a Ground Facility. Use the same format as used for the initial contact except you should state your message or request with the callup in one transmission. The ground station name and the word “Over” may be omitted if the message requires an obvious reply and there is no possibility for misunderstandings. You should acknowledge all callups or clearances unless the controller or FSS specialist advises otherwise. There are some occasions when controllers must issue time-critical instructions to other aircraft, and they may be in a position to observe your response, either visually or on radar. If the situation demands your response, take appropriate action or immediately advise the facility of any problem. Acknowledge with your aircraft identification, either at the beginning or at the end of your transmission, and one of the words “Wilco,” “Roger,” “Affirmative,” “Negative,” or other appropriate remarks; e.g., “PIPER TWO ONE FOUR LIMA, ROGER.” If you have been receiving services; e.g., VFR traffic advisories and you are leaving the area or changing frequencies, advise the ATC facility and terminate contact.

Bob
 
If the OP has a flight simulator, you can practice on the flight simulator and use this subscription service: https://www.pilotedge.net/

Disclaimer: I've not used it, but have watched a video or two that looked impressive.
 
rtk11 said:
If the OP has a flight simulator, you can practice on the flight simulator and use this subscription service: https://www.pilotedge.net/

Disclaimer: I've not used it, but have watched a video or two that looked impressive.
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OP might be a pro by now, haha, I dug this thread up to add that youtube video that I stumbled across. In case a new student might find it helpful. :)
 
The video was useful. He admitted the apprehension of going to a towered field, was pretty rough at first on the radio calls, but improved quite a bit by the end. Good for him!
 
bobmrg said:
Sure, there is phraseology that is widely used and accepted, but it is not required by regulation...after awhile you will begin to recognize patterns and will know what to expect.

Bob Gardner
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Just to expand on this, controllers ( but not pilots as Bob stated) must use standard phraseology terms IAW the ATC Handbook, 7110.65. That's not to say a controller would not use something nonstandard to get the message across.
 
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