IanW;
As you are so situationally aware, wouldn't it be better when you are at the 'expected point' to give a call to say you are changing frequency?
This may not be a good idea and could even make matters worse. It may be that you have just been transferred to a control sector on a different frequency to the one you have just disappeared to. So the handing over controller you were with calls you and you do not respond. The frequency you have popped up on unannounced will try to work out what you are and who you are and why you are calling them and may have no idea where you should really go. Sectors are often 'bandboxed' together when traffic permits and may use different frequencies to those published. It's a lot simpler to just give a 'check call' to your current controller.
It's a lot simpler to just give a 'check call' to your current controller.
Isn't that just what I have said?
The frequency you have popped up on unannounced will try to work out what you are and who you are and why you are calling them and may have no idea where you should really go.
When you free call an ATCU, I would love you to tell us what your call consists of. For most of us it would be an initial call to establish comms e.g.
*
G-XXXX, "Nice control good afternoon this is G-XXXX"
Then you could expect;
Nice Control, "Good afternoon G-XXXX pass your details"
To which you would reply;
G-XXXX, (What you are, who you are, flight details, requests etc)
At which point ATC will take care of you, happy days.
Please tell us your version of how you see the conversation
So you've reached the point where you think you are just about out of range from your initial controller. You call to say that you're going to change en route. There are two possible results;
1. You get a reply
2. you get no reply
In the case of 1, possible outcomes are;
a. ATC hand you over
b. ATC inform you they are about to hand you over
c. ATC tell you to free call on xxx.yy
In the case of a or b, all well unless b in the next few minutes turns into 2
In the case of c, see z
In the case of 2, possible actions are;
w. Try in vain to establish comms with the initial controller
x. Do nothing and await a call on 121.5
y. Do nothing and expect an interception
z. Free call your next planned frequency
In the case of w, at what point do you move to z?
In the case of z, possible outcomes are;
m. No reply
n. Reply and they are expecting you
o. Reply and they aren't expecting you
In the case of m, wait until you are 'in range'
In the case of m (in range), try an alternative freq or adopt lost comms drill
In the case of n, all well
In the case of o, why aren't they expecting you? (flight plan)
Regardless if the controller is expecting you or not, they will handle you and therefore please refer to *
Simples
