15 Ways to Instantly Get Better Talking to ATC

Talking with air traffic control (ATC) can be very intimidating, especially at first. It can sound like a foreign language if you aren't used to it, but once you understand the cadence and what to expect, it really doesn't have to be complicated.
I'm based at one of the busiest single runway airports in the country and have been flying in and out of Class B for quite a while now. What was at first very intimidating has now become very manageable and really fun.
In this video are 15 actionable tips you can implement today that will increase your confidence, proficiency, and skill with ATC communications.
Corresponding article at Airplane Academy (including links for products to record your ATC communications, as mentioned in the video): airplaneacademy.com/13-atc-co...
Read more aviation tips, tricks, and FAQs at airplaneacademy.com
My bio here: airplaneacademy.com/charlie-g...
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
Looking for 1:1 help? Check out airplaneacademy.com/hire-charlie and we can talk anything aviation or entrepreneurship related.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know I just launched an "Insiders" Newsletter where once a week I'm sharing an important lesson I've learned in aviation, links to my latest content so you don't miss out, and links to any other interesting or helpful content I've found. I'm also working on a HUGE project I can't announce yet but I'm going to be sharing more behind the scenes info with Insiders first - Subscribe (it's free) at: airplaneacademy.com/insiders

[@garysgroundschool4739]

ATC : “N550MG turn left heading 330, maintain 6,000” Me : “No”

[@richardsmart2923]

As a former ATC, I just want to say this is excellent. I think all new pilots should watch this video.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you that means a bunch! Glad it is helpful.

[@peyt_ace5618]

I’m watching it rn lol

[@keithhoward9238]

I will always work to improve my radio skillz! Thanks for your understanding from a Low time pilot.

[@AjaySingh.1003]

My voice test is in two days for becoming an atc please suggest anything

[@richardsmart2923]

@@AjaySingh.1003 Take a deep breath and stay as calm as possible. Good luck.

[@agillespie3]

One of the first things I learned about talking to controllers. And the first thing I teach my students. "It's push to talk, not push to think".

[@mooseknuckle_4474]

Who is the poor soul that thumbed this video down and who hurt you? As always, excellent content my man.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, man! Really appreciate you saying that and your support!

[@davidleg]

I have been flying jets for 28 years and I think your tips are right on the money , are you sure you are not an airline pilot under cover 😄👍. Great job

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey thanks so much for saying so!

[@clintgault3078]

Great video for all of us training to be pilots. Great tips, great advice, good video sir! Thank you!!

[@thegood9]

Meeting an ATC and watching what they do in the tower and station is a GREAT thing to do to allow you to think of them as "people", so I would recommend that highly to everyone intimidated or frustrated by them.

[@techdoc99]

Thank you for this. In my 20 years of flying I’ve not heard it broken down so effectively!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you I really appreciate that and am glad you found it helpful!

[@ronaustin4839]

Thank you from a 67 year old “New Student Pilot”. Excellent information!!!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful and pumped you are learning to fly! Don't be a stranger, keep us posted.

[@JonFinnguitar]

Love this! I’m a low-time student pilot. It’s my goal to get VFR private pilot rated. I know I can do it, but it’s challenging in so many ways. You’re another great example of how the GA community is generous and helpful!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks Jon, glad it was helpful. You got this!!

[@keithhoward9238]

Jon, we are on the same path of acquiring our PPL. It is a journey like no other.

[@Ninja-qm8bp]

Dude, you should have 100k more subscribers! Quality content!!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for saying that. I really appreciate it! -Charlie

[@lowifrles9813]

Agree totally. This will be a successful channel. Great content.

[@acrosby2117]

Listening to ATC Live before you go to an unfamiliar airport is a excellent tip. I flew out of North Las Vegas Airport once and they used local expressions like "Spaghetti Bowl", "Flamingo Drive" and "the golf course" which were totally foreign to me. I had to say "unfamiliar with the area" to get vectors. Now if I am going to an unfamiliar airport, I'll listen to ATC for that airport to get a few clues.

[@stevenwomack9574]

I've just discovered this channel after twenty years out of the cockpit. I'm a rusty pilot taking dual to get current again and pass a biennial. You're videos are incredibly valuable and you, sir, are a treasure.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks Steven! Really nice comment and I'm really glad you've found the content useful. Thanks for watching! Keep us posted on your progress... excited for you.

[@dvsmotions]

Recording or using ATC Live is a huge benefit to student pilots and even seasoned pilots. This has helped me many times because when you are a student, you are nervous and don't remember your screw ups. Very important to debrief your comms. It helps a lot.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Totally agree!

[@michaelwilliamsd.o.5006]

Excellent job thx

[@alandonn8031]

Very helpful!

[@benelkins2510]

You are so helpful.

[@tolgatuncay]

Thank you for this! 🙏✈️

[@chrissugden3876]

Mindset, motivation, methodology! Thank you!

[@ibrokeygstrang]

Thank you for this! This is one of the most helpful discussions on this that I've yet seen. Improving radio work is one of my priorities at the moment. I'm learning to fly in class C under a class B, so intimidating!

[@taissawoods3359]

Thanks for the great video!

[@Turk-tf6vp]

I've watched a few of your videos over the past couple weeks. This one is getting you the follow. Thank you so much. it almost seems like some ATC take it as a competition to see how fast they can talk. That's terrifying as a student pilot.

[@kimheran]

You made it sound soooo EASYYY!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank u for this

[@pattieduffy4992]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@paullthomas8064]

Just getting started....Thank You!

[@maritestaylor8458]

Back again one of my favorite video.

[@deandoan3672]

Such great support friend, thank you!

[@christianbiedenharn228]

Couldn’t have found a more perfect video... Currently finish my private at Addison after initially only flying pilot controlled airports. Total culture shock and a little intimidating, but really enjoying the process and school here at American Flyers. Going straight into my instrument afterwards. Glad to have stumbled across you page👍🏼

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! I'm based at KADS so maybe I'll see you around. American Flyers is a great school I got my private and instrument there (at KADS).

[@christianbiedenharn228]

Airplane Academy right on! I’ll be the one fuddling the comms hahaha

[@jogowing5993]

Thanks, Charlie! I've been struggling with my calls, and this is some really good advice. A bigger part of my trouble, though, is figuring out how to change my radio frequencies while I'm flying. It's easy enough when I'm on the ground, so I try to get everything preset before I take off. But there are so many buttons and knobs that's it's really confusing when I have to dial in new frequencies while I'm trying to fly. I wish they were color coded or marked less vaguely.

[@treylem3]

Great advice/tips, thank you. Ultralight pilot planning to transition to LSA

[@LukWynants]

Great insides, they definitly will help me to learn ATC and comprehend all that busy stuff, many thanks!

[@geeflat]

All good stuff. All great advice. Thanks.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you think so. :)

[@jeffreyvanhorn1996]

I haven’t even started ground school, but this is SO well done! Just excellent. You are very articulate, very well spoken (intentionally redundant so you’ll believe me), and simply gifted in how you communicate content. Again, well done, and thank you so much. For any thumbs-down you get, just toss them onto the idiot pile, because they are idiots.

[@johnraymond7189]

Brilliant Charlie. Thanks.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@mandymedichi1135]

Great content. 👍🏻

[@jdjd256]

Charlie, Thank you for 15 tips and putting this video. Simply Awesome tips and inputs. Thank you for giving confidence and boost! - Student Pilot

[@theshawnlee1]

Great advice, thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Know-Way]

Brilliant! Well Done.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! :)

[@subsoar5734]

4:17 is one of my favorite tips - i use a network called PilotEdge that allows you to simulate on a live network with real trained ATC, and all transmissions are recorded and posted. this is such a cool resource i really love.

[@tconsing]

Excellent tips! Thank you very much!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad they were helpful! Thank you so much.

[@joshuaems1848]

Fantastic video. Thank you for this.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mattwatling8042]

Great vid!! Thanks for the useful tips! Subscribed!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Nice!! Glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@AFmedic]

We all know the importance of "maintaining situational awareness" and Tip #3 is an aspect of that. Taking a few seconds to listen right after turning on the radio brings you "up to speed" as to what's happening around you.

[@letoleroi9471]

Cool explanation! Thank you for it!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed.

[@nickagapion1925]

Just found this channel, but I’m glad I did. This is some underrated stuff. Great tips. Keep it up!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!

[@AndrewWiester]

Fantastic content, thank you so much!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks, man! I really appreciate that.

[@royd7984]

Thank you for an honest and practical video. Excellent

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisbeber9177]

Hey man, let’s go fly, I need an instructor, your videos are great!

[@AthreyaDynasty]

By far , THIS is the best! Thank you.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

So glad you think so! Thank you!

[@robertstrauss5117]

Great tips, thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad they were helpful!

[@JBAutomotive794]

Charlie, i can't thank you enough for making the content you do.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! I really appreciate it and am glad you enjoy the channel.

[@mauricecayon8529]

Great video and great tips keep up the great work!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!!

[@royd7984]

Excellent and practical advice. Thanks

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you found it helpful.

[@jamieb8046]

Another very useful video - you explain things very well giving examples. Thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad to hear! Thank you so much.

[@ricp]

great video!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@duojet1959]

Awesome video!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.

[@josephsener420]

Some really great work in your videos.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!!

[@jamesriordan7]

Thank you sir for this very helpful video! I am an instrument student currently and struggle with radio comms mostly because I just never have to talk to ATC back at my home airport. I had radio skills back when I got my PPL 20 years ago but have since lost them sadly. I’ve also lost that confidence as I found out this morning with my first flight into College Station, shooting two different approaches. I’m thankful my instructor was there to pick up the slack for me! Thanks again for the tips. Now I have to figure out how to apply them while doing a ton of other things while under the hood! No pressure right!!? Lol!

[@mypasswordistommy]

Great video. I liked tip one. The section he is referring to is FAR/AIM 4-2-1 through 4-2-14. Or find the page by looking in the index for exactly what he said: "radio communications phraseology and techniques"

[@razorsharpbt124]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed.

[@EmberHarrington]

Thank you so much for this.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing, glad you enjoyed!

[@denniswoods7412]

Thank You, New student Pilot this information helps.

[@CapBlue]

this helped me a lot talking to atc thank you and i subbed

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! I'm so glad to hear that. Pumped to have you as a subscriber.

[@wagnercorrea8609]

thanks a lot!

[@martiansonmaui1749]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@just4stringsnme]

This is amazing man, thank you. Indeed, what I'm most concerned about is rattling off taxi instructions and so on back to ATC once I get there in training.

[@gabyroberts9601]

Thanks i love the app very good

[@willlewis9194]

Again, so great Charlie! Another lesson under my belt. Mumbai --> Queretaro Mexico in 2 weeks, PPL begins, so excited!

[@pirica2800]

Subbed because of this! Great great content! 💯

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Excited to have you as a subscriber. Thank you!

[@zerohero6602]

Excellent video! Thanks for this

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@briankramer9690]

Thanks man - really helpful

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad it was helpful.

[@mmcalifornia8600]

Thank you, this video is excellent!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much - glad it was helpful!

[@chrisjavier1767]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing!

[@lenflier3826]

“Being a pilot is all about continuous learning.” Thanks for that. I’m going to keep that at the heart of my identity as a pilot.

[@iminacult4520]

Excellent video thanks for sharing. 👍🏻

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed.

[@JohnSmith-bc1pe]

Genuine video instructional at its best! -student pilot. Subscribed.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you as a subscriber!!

[@KyleD237]

Finishing my IFR rating now. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who got intimidated by the approach. Thanks for being honest.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome and congrats. Thanks for saying so... yes that approach clearance always threw me for a loop until I realized it was the same cadence each time! Still a lot to read back but it kind of clicked for me conceptually at what they were communicating.

[@treylem3]

👍

[@shyammohabir8283]

This is a must watch video for ALL new pilots who wants to master Radio Communication with ATC! A "Text Book" introduction to communication! Because of this video, I'm following you .. rich honest content with no BS! .. AND IT's FREE!!!! Thanks for Sharing!

[@MrAdamNTProtester]

Thanks that was an excellent video- really informative, well presented & covered pretty much everything- subscribed!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@EmilyTienne]

Subscribed. You are a natural teacher.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate that and glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@jpfatc]

Great job on this video and if you’re ever flying SW of Waco give us a call at Gray approach! Ask for Papa Kilo but don’t wait too long, I’m retiring sometime in the next couple of years.

[@TruthTime-bs9ni]

Agreed. You are the captain of your vessel/plane etc. U R in control. Aviate. Navigate Communicate. Great analysis.

[@nickpatel7880]

Great video for beginner. Thanks for making videos

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you found it helpful!

[@luisschafer3628]

Dude, I agree 100% about you have said.

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

Excellent tips! I recently stumbled over my first departure call to tower at KLGB. And realized it is a lot to think about all at once! haha! Pilot Edge!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks and hope it helps! It can be a lot at first. It gets a lot easier with time and practice.

[@Leo32213]

Best channel

[@airforcedad7398]

This was well presented. I like your thoughtful organization and direct delivery. Extremely helpful. Great job. - Student Pilot at a towered airport - very relatable.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@abbieamavi]

Also, thank you!! this video is so helpful and I wish it was around when I started my Private license!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! I'm glad it's helpful and that you enjoyed it. :)

[@rajohn84]

Best advice ever heard

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Wow! Thanks so much!

[@karynlininger9495]

You are sooo good! Thank you so much! Instrument student and this was incredibly helpful!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Really appreciate it!

[@michepriest]

Excellent information and examples. I’ve recently started pursuing my PPL. I can already see coming back to this video multiple times. Thanks for sharing

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Congratulations!! So glad the video is helpful.

[@makkavalley9144]

I liked this.

[@traviswcarney]

Love your videos and your obvious passion for aviation. Great stuff. I appreciate all the money you must spend on 100LL sitting on the ramp talking to us. ;)

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Haha! Thanks so much. Videos done from my home office are cheaper :)

[@ahmedhussein3785]

Amazing video.very information 👌👌

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks a lot!

[@frankloy2701]

Great video! I had 34 years as a career Air Traffic Controller and have flown as a private pilot SEL/ Instrument. This is a very helpful, practical video. I feel the most important thing is ATC is part of the flying team. Most of the controllers I worked with just wanted each flight to be successful whether VFR or IFR.

[@povyouarefunnyvalentine5802]

Love that he is talking through the headset mic so student pilots can get more use to the sound of it. When I first put on the headset it was a bit hard to understand, It would have been very useful if I had listened to something like this in the beginning to get more use to it.

[@alainrobichaud7078]

very practical tips...very student pilot friendly, good job.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@Teebuck27]

As a low time student pilot I am very grateful to come across your video. I also became a sub. I’ve checked out some of your other videos great content!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Pumped to have you as a subscriber!

[@snowgoose52]

Thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks a bunch!

[@fernandocastro78-NUSHS]

Hi Charlie, non pilot here. Absolutely loved your video! As an enthusiast, I follow some aviation channels. Even though I don't have too much trouble communicating in another language (I'm native Brazilian), ATC intrigued me the most as something I'd freak out if I was to get a PPL. Your video brings a whole new perspective for anyone who's intimidated with that. It runs circles on most other advice out there. Totally enjoyed the video without missing a single word. Good job, well done! Greetings from Brazil!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the compliment and am glad that you found it helpful! ATC is daunting at first but I PROMISE it gets easier with time and repetition. Like I said, it went from being the thing I was most intimidated by to one of the things I most enjoy.