US ATC question
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 74
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From: Lausanne
US ATC question
I am just SLF with some ATC knowledge though.
I have been flying around quite a bit in the US lately and enjoyed listening
to channel 9 on United Airlines which usually provides an ATC feed.
A thing that suprised me is that en-route controllers seem to always
use their ACC unit name, eg "XY Center" in every transmission they
make, which is rather uncommon in Europe.
Wouldn't it save a lot of perhaps unnecessary RT time by just omitting that
unit name in every transmission.
This might also provide some time to speak a little bit more slowly
and clearly, the instructions are pretty hard to understand for
non-native speakers I guess.
So my question is how US controllers think about that and how difficult it
is for non-native pilots to understand controller's instructions in the US?
Thanks a lot for your answers and please remember that this is just a
harmless question by a passenger before getting too polemic about this.
I have been flying around quite a bit in the US lately and enjoyed listening
to channel 9 on United Airlines which usually provides an ATC feed.
A thing that suprised me is that en-route controllers seem to always
use their ACC unit name, eg "XY Center" in every transmission they
make, which is rather uncommon in Europe.
Wouldn't it save a lot of perhaps unnecessary RT time by just omitting that
unit name in every transmission.
This might also provide some time to speak a little bit more slowly
and clearly, the instructions are pretty hard to understand for
non-native speakers I guess.
So my question is how US controllers think about that and how difficult it
is for non-native pilots to understand controller's instructions in the US?
Thanks a lot for your answers and please remember that this is just a
harmless question by a passenger before getting too polemic about this.
PPRuNe supporter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,676
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From: Planet Earth
I see your point, maybe that is a good idea, I'm afraid they are just following procedures outlined here: http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/ATC/index.htm
AS far as understanding American controllers, I can fully understand, lots of slang used.
AS far as understanding American controllers, I can fully understand, lots of slang used.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 74
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From: Lausanne
Thanks Dream Lands 
Here is what I found on:
http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/ATC/Chp2/atc0204.html#2-4-1
2-4-8. RADIO MESSAGE FORMAT
Use the following format for radio communications with an aircraft:
a. Sector/position on initial radio contact:
1. Identification of aircraft.
2. Identification of ATC unit.
3. Message (if any).
4. The word "over" if required.
b. Subsequent radio transmissions from the same sector/position shall use the same format, except the identification of the ATC unit may be omitted.
Here is what I found on:
http://www.faa.gov/ATPubs/ATC/Chp2/atc0204.html#2-4-1
2-4-8. RADIO MESSAGE FORMAT
Use the following format for radio communications with an aircraft:
a. Sector/position on initial radio contact:
1. Identification of aircraft.
2. Identification of ATC unit.
3. Message (if any).
4. The word "over" if required.
b. Subsequent radio transmissions from the same sector/position shall use the same format, except the identification of the ATC unit may be omitted.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 172
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From: California
As you referenced facility Id is only required on initial contact. I have no Idea which facilities you have monitored but most controllers I know only use facility id on initial contact them omit it as allowed. Controllers will use facility id on Subsequent transmissons sometimes if they are trying to get a pilots attention.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 74
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From: Lausanne
I monitored many centers from the east cost to the west coast
(Boston, NY, Chicago, Portland, Denver,...)
What suprprised me is that controllers did not only use the facility ID
when aircraft cheked in on a new frequency ("XY center rodger" instead
of the commonly used "radar contact" or "identified" in Europe) but
in almost every transmission. At least that was my impression.
Many thanks for the answers guys
(Boston, NY, Chicago, Portland, Denver,...)
What suprprised me is that controllers did not only use the facility ID
when aircraft cheked in on a new frequency ("XY center rodger" instead
of the commonly used "radar contact" or "identified" in Europe) but
in almost every transmission. At least that was my impression.
Many thanks for the answers guys
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth ARTCC ZFW
Geek;
It may seem like we do it with everyone and not just on initial contact, but for the most part, that is the only time that we do it. Like you said, less is better when it comes to phraseology due to the traffic load of a lot of sectors. We do have a lot of folks checking in that may not sound like they are. You may also here us telling the to "contact" Memphis Center on yada yadda yadda... Lots and lots of freq. changes... It is not at all uncommon when you are busy to have between 25 and 33 aircraft in your airspace all moving about ....
regards
Scott
It may seem like we do it with everyone and not just on initial contact, but for the most part, that is the only time that we do it. Like you said, less is better when it comes to phraseology due to the traffic load of a lot of sectors. We do have a lot of folks checking in that may not sound like they are. You may also here us telling the to "contact" Memphis Center on yada yadda yadda... Lots and lots of freq. changes... It is not at all uncommon when you are busy to have between 25 and 33 aircraft in your airspace all moving about ....
regards
Scott
