Question for an ATCO
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 63
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From: UK
Question for an ATCO
Just a quick question for controllers: When you clear an A/C to descend when ready to a FL, do you expect the crew to then report when actually leaving or do you consider this an unnecessary call to make?
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 44
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From: Canada
Unnecessary.
But here's one I like
"Centre, Speedbird 97 looking for descent"
"Speedbird 97 cleared to FL240"
"240....is that our discretion?"
What I thought: 'Of course d@&*head, you asked for it'
What I said (after drawing blood on my tongue) "Affirmative"
But here's one I like
"Centre, Speedbird 97 looking for descent"
"Speedbird 97 cleared to FL240"
"240....is that our discretion?"
What I thought: 'Of course d@&*head, you asked for it'
What I said (after drawing blood on my tongue) "Affirmative"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I don't know how many ATC manuals still have it written, but it used to always be a requirement to report when reaching or leaving an assigned level. In today's crowded skies, it seems a little archaic, but in procedural airspace, it's a nice call to keep you in the picture.
IMHO, it's always a good, last minute check to see if, as an ATCO, you actually have a clear bit of airspace ahead of the subject aircraft as he starts his/her descent. You may have had nothing in sight when you issued the descent, but things may have changed by the time it actually starts going down. Many will say that you shouldn't have issued the descent in the first place if you didn't have a clear patch, but that kind of thinking belongs to those of us who have never issued a dodgy clearance in their careers.
Bon chance!
IMHO, it's always a good, last minute check to see if, as an ATCO, you actually have a clear bit of airspace ahead of the subject aircraft as he starts his/her descent. You may have had nothing in sight when you issued the descent, but things may have changed by the time it actually starts going down. Many will say that you shouldn't have issued the descent in the first place if you didn't have a clear patch, but that kind of thinking belongs to those of us who have never issued a dodgy clearance in their careers.
Bon chance!
