Copying ATIS and advising Apron on intentions
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Copying ATIS and advising Apron on intentions
Evening ladies & gents
Just another quick one here
Here in East London,we have a Class C airspace so its not as major as Class B in the states but regarding the above mentioned title: Do you think its good airmanship to copy the ATIS on initial contact with tower and then advising the apron office (different frequency) on your intentions?
Eg:Whenever I go solo,I ALWAYS copy the ATIS to tower and then contact apron and tell him/her what my intentions are.
But.....when I fly with an instructor,I get a funny face directed to me.
It makes me laugh though...
Anyway...
I took a trip to the tower sometime last year and asked them what they think about it and their response was,"Not many GA aircraft,if any,do what you do.Only commercial airliners and even then,only on occasion.But we enjoy it when you do because it makes things easier for us and makes us feel better,knowing you copy the current ATIS and that you advise apron,which shows you follow procedures,which also shows good airmanship,even though its a minor "thing"."
So,what I want to know is: How many of you GA pilots do what I do,even though its not necessary?
And 2nd: Do you think its a waste of time?
I'll continue to do it,unless stated otherwise from tower.But im just curious what other pilots think.
Thanks everyone
Dan
Just another quick one here
Here in East London,we have a Class C airspace so its not as major as Class B in the states but regarding the above mentioned title: Do you think its good airmanship to copy the ATIS on initial contact with tower and then advising the apron office (different frequency) on your intentions?
Eg:Whenever I go solo,I ALWAYS copy the ATIS to tower and then contact apron and tell him/her what my intentions are.
But.....when I fly with an instructor,I get a funny face directed to me.
It makes me laugh though...
Anyway...
I took a trip to the tower sometime last year and asked them what they think about it and their response was,"Not many GA aircraft,if any,do what you do.Only commercial airliners and even then,only on occasion.But we enjoy it when you do because it makes things easier for us and makes us feel better,knowing you copy the current ATIS and that you advise apron,which shows you follow procedures,which also shows good airmanship,even though its a minor "thing"."
So,what I want to know is: How many of you GA pilots do what I do,even though its not necessary?
And 2nd: Do you think its a waste of time?
I'll continue to do it,unless stated otherwise from tower.But im just curious what other pilots think.
Thanks everyone
Dan
Last edited by PPRuNeUser0179; 28th Apr 2013 at 15:22. Reason: Typing Error
In the UK, we don't have an 'apron' frequency but many larger airports have 'ground' and 'air frequencies and I'm not sure what function 'apron' serves, but I know one airfield with TWR and APP frequencies (no 'ground') where your taxy instructions are included on the ATIS; if you don't listen to it you don't know which holding point to taxy to!
Last edited by chevvron; 28th Apr 2013 at 16:22.
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Hi there Chevvron
Apron,here in SA,servers for aircrafts who would like specific services while on the ground where tower would not be able to assist due to traffic congestion etc etc.IE:calling the fuel truck,opening the GA complex gate,time checks before takeoff,any notams not displayed on the CAA webpage (it NEVER seems to get updated).and for many other reasons.
Also,the taxy instructions are not recorded on the ATIS freq.Tower issues these,along with other instructions.
So I assume you pilots in the UK listen to the ATIS?
Glad Im not alone
Apron,here in SA,servers for aircrafts who would like specific services while on the ground where tower would not be able to assist due to traffic congestion etc etc.IE:calling the fuel truck,opening the GA complex gate,time checks before takeoff,any notams not displayed on the CAA webpage (it NEVER seems to get updated).and for many other reasons.
Also,the taxy instructions are not recorded on the ATIS freq.Tower issues these,along with other instructions.
So I assume you pilots in the UK listen to the ATIS?
Glad Im not alone
Most ATIS in the UK include the instruction for the pilot to read back the ATIS letter and QNH on first contact with ATC. The example I mentioned which included taxy instructions is unique to one airfield; at all others you listen to ATIS, then call ATC (either ground or air) for taxy clearance.
