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Are You Aviation Radio Friendly?

One of the greatest assets the U.S. Airspace has to offer today's pilot is the air traffic control system.\xa0 But how do we leverage it, and how do we become a value added participant?

That's what Marc and Al discussed\xa0tonight.\xa0 Pilots that aren't comfortable in the system can slow it down and make it less effective for all other pilots.\xa0 Some of the faux pas' include:

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• Not being prepared to speak.\xa0 This usually ends up with the pilot doing a lot of thinking while the push to talk button is pushed.\n
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  • Be careful of holding the push to talk switch and leaving dead air!
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  • Watch the number of "Uhhhh's and Ummm's"
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  • Using a lot of extra words
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2.\xa0 Not knowing where they are.



But for those that practice their communication by adhering to the following tips, will get more out of the system for themselves and their fellow pilots.

1.\xa0 Saying your initial call to ATC in your head first, prior to pushing the mic button and saying it the second time;

2.\xa0 Confirming your location with your avionics, prior to making a request call to ATC;

3.\xa0 Making sure you are primarily listening for your call sign while you are having a discussion with your passengers;

4.\xa0 Pausing prior to speaking to ensure the line is clear;

5.\xa0 Using Roger, Wilco, and Affirmative appropriately when responding to ATC;

6.\xa0 Being confident and succinct in your communications.

Also, be familiar with the services ATC provides all pilots whether it's VFR or IFR.\xa0 ATC is there to help.\xa0 You just have to know what they can do and how to ask for it.

Blues Skies and Tailwinds.