Originally Posted by
Manwell
That is an interesting case, HnH. I've never come across one like that before. Could be articulate the calls on the ground?
Sorry - deleted the post as thought it wouldn't be of interest re the poor guy and RT.
In summary (for others reading), it was about a fair trainee pilot in his 40's who simply could not get to grips with R/T in flight.
It was so very sad - we tried everything. I used to do Groundschool sessions anyway with all my students covering the use of RT as I know some don't find it easy to begin with so it helps. We'd practice things on the ground just to get them used to holding an "aeronautical conversation", usually, before even trying in the aircraft - but, here, the "block" once in the aircraft was like a wall. We did many hours "extra" G/S, all free as I personally wanted to see him crack it - as I say he could fly and nav quite well - it was just the radio when in the aircraft........... On the ground, he was fine.............
In the end, he used to get really frustrated - "But, at work, I talk all the time to strangers on the phone all day on subjects I've no idea they'll be bringing up so I often have to switch trains of thought instantly. Here, most of the time, I know
exactly what they (ATC) are going to say/ask - I even write stuff down before-hand when I can as I know what I will need to give them - but I just can't get it out when I have to press the PTT...........". The added risk was, when "locked-out" by R/T fear (or whatever), the aircraft was simply left to it's own devices + while concentrating on his non-radio call, the tension in his hand would often slowly drift the aircraft off in random directions. I didn't really feel it was helpful to add "Unusual Attitude Recoveries" into the mix - especially when in the circuit!