Atc Communication Help?
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Atc Communication Help?
Hi all!
I have recently started training for my ppl and have just started getting into circuits. My instructor is getting me to start doing some of the comms now. Although I read through my notes at home I've slipped up a few times in my lessons now and was wondering if anybody knows of a good communications simulator so I can get my confidence up without the cost of lessons at my aerodrome? I understand that I will be doing the rt course soon but just want a realistic programme to help me at home if there is one out there.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
I have recently started training for my ppl and have just started getting into circuits. My instructor is getting me to start doing some of the comms now. Although I read through my notes at home I've slipped up a few times in my lessons now and was wondering if anybody knows of a good communications simulator so I can get my confidence up without the cost of lessons at my aerodrome? I understand that I will be doing the rt course soon but just want a realistic programme to help me at home if there is one out there.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
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You could simply get a friend to play the part of ATC for you - CAP413 and a bit of coaching from you will give them everything they need, especially if you only want to practice circuit calls for now.
Or, if you want something that will keep you on your toes, you could try Vatsim - the virtual-ATC network for flight simmers.
You can talk to real people acting as ATC and learn in a much more forgiving environment - though most people take it just as seriously as the real thing. It is very realistic.
You probably won't be too welcome if you try to do circuits at Heathrow, but at any of the regional airports the controllers are often glad of the extra work trying to squeeze you in between the airliner traffic. It's fun for them and for you.
As I type, there are no special events on but Edinburgh, East Mids, Farnborough and Manchester Towers are all manned - I'm sure you would be welcome to try circuits at any of them.
Vatsim works with Flight Simulator and X-Plane.
VATSIM United Kingdom Division
Or, if you want something that will keep you on your toes, you could try Vatsim - the virtual-ATC network for flight simmers.
You can talk to real people acting as ATC and learn in a much more forgiving environment - though most people take it just as seriously as the real thing. It is very realistic.
You probably won't be too welcome if you try to do circuits at Heathrow, but at any of the regional airports the controllers are often glad of the extra work trying to squeeze you in between the airliner traffic. It's fun for them and for you.
As I type, there are no special events on but Edinburgh, East Mids, Farnborough and Manchester Towers are all manned - I'm sure you would be welcome to try circuits at any of them.
Vatsim works with Flight Simulator and X-Plane.
VATSIM United Kingdom Division
Acquire some kind of VHF radio - it will be useful later - and go and listen at an aerodrome like the ones you'll be frequenting.
Much better to listen in to real life than to play around in a simulated fake universe.
Much better to listen in to real life than to play around in a simulated fake universe.
I'd agree with Jan - buy a cheap airband scanner and listen to the local traffic. R/T on the ground and in the circuit isn't particularly difficult so you should pick it up in no time and know when to say it.
Your instructor should ideally run through all the necessary R/T with you on the ground before you fly. Write the calls down and keep them on your kneeboard if you're not sure (I had to write down all possible calls when transiting Luton the first time I did it), it helps. Don't get flustered, relax and aviate first.
Remember, prefixing your call with "Student G-WXYZ" will generally make sure you don't get as much hassle if you get your calls wrong.
Your instructor should ideally run through all the necessary R/T with you on the ground before you fly. Write the calls down and keep them on your kneeboard if you're not sure (I had to write down all possible calls when transiting Luton the first time I did it), it helps. Don't get flustered, relax and aviate first.
Remember, prefixing your call with "Student G-WXYZ" will generally make sure you don't get as much hassle if you get your calls wrong.
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Flying and communicating (talking he talk using aviation language) can be challenging, but don't look at it as a mystery.
Find your won way of practicing radio communications, that's all it takes to effectively engage in talking the talk using aviation language in the cockpit.
As aforementioned above in the other posts, getting a VHF device and listening to aviation communication will help; as well as engaging in flying in a virtual environment such as the VATSIM will definitely provide you insights into becoming confident in talking the talk when at the controls in the cockpit.
If you can afford it, set up a flight simulation environment at home and engage yourself flying in the VATSIM environment. You would be surprise how realistic and sophisticated the VATSIM environmnet is and how this could elevate your flying experience. Just by flying in the VATSIM environment, I'm capable of flying advanced aircrafts and flying in any airspace (controlled or non-controlled airspace).
Find your won way of practicing radio communications, that's all it takes to effectively engage in talking the talk using aviation language in the cockpit.
As aforementioned above in the other posts, getting a VHF device and listening to aviation communication will help; as well as engaging in flying in a virtual environment such as the VATSIM will definitely provide you insights into becoming confident in talking the talk when at the controls in the cockpit.
If you can afford it, set up a flight simulation environment at home and engage yourself flying in the VATSIM environment. You would be surprise how realistic and sophisticated the VATSIM environmnet is and how this could elevate your flying experience. Just by flying in the VATSIM environment, I'm capable of flying advanced aircrafts and flying in any airspace (controlled or non-controlled airspace).
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Don't worry, we've all been there. I agree with getting a handheld radio and listen to what goes on at your own airfield. Confidence grows steadily.
The basic A/G requirements are; Who are you? Where are you? What do you want? ATC will ask if there is any further information required. You have to learn what you are expected to respond to, but if you repeat the information given you won't go far wrong. Your Instructor will often prompt you as you may already have noticed (!)
If you visit an airfield with a higher level of radio service, or even full ATC, you may be given a printed aid to assist you.
Lastly, ATC are generally a helpful bunch and will know that you are in the early stages. Make sure that you have a kneeboard and pen ready to copy info. After a while the radio becomes second nature.
Have fun!
The basic A/G requirements are; Who are you? Where are you? What do you want? ATC will ask if there is any further information required. You have to learn what you are expected to respond to, but if you repeat the information given you won't go far wrong. Your Instructor will often prompt you as you may already have noticed (!)
If you visit an airfield with a higher level of radio service, or even full ATC, you may be given a printed aid to assist you.
Lastly, ATC are generally a helpful bunch and will know that you are in the early stages. Make sure that you have a kneeboard and pen ready to copy info. After a while the radio becomes second nature.
Have fun!
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Let's get back to basics: When you speak use the following crib (Thank you John Kowalski): Who you are, Where you are and What you want. The reply, will depend on the last two items. Speak slowly and clearly and if necessary, ask the other party to do the same. With very few exceptions, they'll be glad to help.
Just out of interest, what does the callsign of your local airfield end with? Is it "Information","Radio" or "Tower"?
Just out of interest, what does the callsign of your local airfield end with? Is it "Information","Radio" or "Tower"?
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don't worry, you are not probably the first student in your area. controllers are used to know callsigns of all trainers around including voice of all instructors. They will know you are rookie before you finish your callsing 
Expecting you are flying from Info or Radio airport so even with AFIS you're the master anyway and they are providing just info
I said hundred times some nonsences or incorrect info into radio, heard hudred times other people do the same, including military pro etc.and I am sure I will do some more my first solo after solo circuits so away from airport with ssr play and freq. changes was full of radio mistakes including setting wrong squawk I was asked (and confirming complete different code and it was fine, I was just corrected after almost every word I said, feeling everyone is now aware there is moron in the air
Expecting you are flying from Info or Radio airport so even with AFIS you're the master anyway and they are providing just info
I said hundred times some nonsences or incorrect info into radio, heard hudred times other people do the same, including military pro etc.and I am sure I will do some more
my first solo after solo circuits so away from airport with ssr play and freq. changes was full of radio mistakes including setting wrong squawk I was asked (and confirming complete different code and it was fine, I was just corrected after almost every word I said, feeling everyone is now aware there is moron in the air
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Only way to really learn is through your flying. So many times in my training had I practiced over and over again the correct way to say things only to fluff my lines when it mattered in the air... ATC are really helpful (at least from my experience out of Southend airport).
Remember even the pros get it wrong from time to time as the standard of some of the RT from some of the commercial traffic I over hear sometimes leaves a lot to be desired....
As others have pointed out get an airband radio and listen in, if anything it makes you realise that your not that bad after all.
Remember even the pros get it wrong from time to time as the standard of some of the RT from some of the commercial traffic I over hear sometimes leaves a lot to be desired....
As others have pointed out get an airband radio and listen in, if anything it makes you realise that your not that bad after all.
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I used to rehearse the standard dialogues in my head and I used to play both parts so I knew what I expected to hear as well as what I expected to say. Beyond that it's about getting as much practice as possible.
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Don't be too hard on yourself for making mistakes , the amount of guff I hear on the RT outside of the UK you're probably already 95% better than they are.
You'll learn as you practice and remember it's a human being who speaks English on the other side of the radio, if you get the phraseology wrong they will understand you.
, the amount of guff I hear on the RT outside of the UK you're probably already 95% better than they are.You'll learn as you practice and remember it's a human being who speaks English on the other side of the radio, if you get the phraseology wrong they will understand you.
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Just my thoughts:
- forget simulator, unless it is a networked with others, they waste your lifetime
- work on your psychologic skills, blockade is in your brain only
- if you buy a handheld aviation radio, be aware you might be illegal!
- go, sit in the plane, switch radio on, listen
- forget simulator, unless it is a networked with others, they waste your lifetime
- work on your psychologic skills, blockade is in your brain only
- if you buy a handheld aviation radio, be aware you might be illegal!
- go, sit in the plane, switch radio on, listen
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got a scanner today
You learn the local customs that way, which may not exactly match what it says in the book.
Eg, the book tells you to say where you are, but with some radar units the conversation in real life goes like this:
"xxx, G-ABCD request MATZ penetration (or Traffic Service, or whatever)"
"G-CD squawk 1234"
"1234 G-CD"
"G-CD you are identified, pass your message"
at which point they obviously know where you are so no point in spending air time telling them again.
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The one I seem to get the most is 'Squawk **** and pass message'. Which leaves you fumbling with the transponder and having that bit of a gap before you start talking. Haven't developed the skill of changing the squawk code, pressing the transmit button and talking and looking where I'm going all at the same time yet...
proudpilot1: as AndoniP said earlier, if you prefix your initial call to any ATC frequency with the word 'student' it will indicate to the controller you might be a bit 'nervous' about using RTF and any controller with any sort of conscience should then make allowance for you.
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Tower = Real ATC, therefore your life will be more ordered. Therefore, your flow will be like this:
Who you are, where you are, what you want.
So your requests will be:
Airfield Information - Start for circuits - Taxi.
When ready for departure, say so.
Then it will be requests again:
Downwind for touch and go or full stop.
If you trim the plane you will be able to relax on the flying bit for a few seconds and do the radio. If they speak too fast, they'll slow up as soon as you ask. Throughout the detail, you may be passed traffic information, be requested to orbit or report certain positions. The latter are very simple calls like: "G-AC finals".
But as with most things to do with flying, take it easy.
PM
PS. As a PPL holder I always found radio difficult until I used "who, where, what."
Who you are, where you are, what you want.
So your requests will be:
Airfield Information - Start for circuits - Taxi.
When ready for departure, say so.
Then it will be requests again:
Downwind for touch and go or full stop.
If you trim the plane you will be able to relax on the flying bit for a few seconds and do the radio. If they speak too fast, they'll slow up as soon as you ask. Throughout the detail, you may be passed traffic information, be requested to orbit or report certain positions. The latter are very simple calls like: "G-AC finals".
But as with most things to do with flying, take it easy.
PM
PS. As a PPL holder I always found radio difficult until I used "who, where, what."