ATC Calls That Might THROW You for a Loop (and How to Master Them)

[@CarlSmithAviationBroker]

CLEVER! The best diagrammatic way I've ever seen to portray this concept! BRAVO!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words and feedback!

[@avertify6973]

Bravos a something else. My first time in the bravo was in Dallas, I was flying from FTW to TKI and they cleared me directly over DFW. I had a 787 landing under me on 17R. One of the coolest things in my short flying career so far.

[@MasculinityDoseDaily]

landed at an airport at night one time with no traffic so they told me to turn into the next exit cross the hold short line, 180, and hold short of the runway again. i was so confused haha good thing my instructor was with me!

[@Cheranetube]

Thanks for the great tips! A very well thought-out video.

[@darrelllee2107]

I was an air traffic controller for 10 years so I feel that I have a huge advantage when it comes to radio communications. Great video!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Nice! That will be a walk in the park for you, then. That's a huge boost!

[@isaiahbarker8461]

I gotta say your videos have really helped me a lot, I'm currently working towards getting my PPL and out of the many(and I mean many)aviation videos I've watched, yours are the most educational but not to the point where its boring, keep up the great content

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you - I'm really glad to hear you've found it helpful. Appreciate you going out of your way to leave this comment.

[@isaiahbarker8461]

@@AirplaneAcademy My pleasure

[@travryger9287]

The acronym “tomato flames” got me a 98 on the FAA written. Thanks Charlie

[@BrianRhodes9763]

I have not yet heard the acronym T.O.M.A.T.O. F.L.A.M.E.S, can you elaborate please?

[@travryger9287]

@@BrianRhodes9763 it was mentioned in this video. He was just kidding to illustrate a point and I thought it was hilarious!

[@BrianRhodes9763]

@@travryger9287 Thanks, I saw that as well. However, when I saw your comment I thought it was an actual Acronym....hahaha

[@dangoldbach6570]

I thought it was real too, now watch, that's the one I will remember!😅

[@jonathancriss4281]

TOMATO FLAMES is an acronym for require day VFR instruments under part 91

[@michepriest]

Love the visual mnemonic. Thanks for sharing!

[@lynnew4111]

Thank you so much for your humility and honesty about your own learning curve!

[@baomao7243]

Great video. I really liked the ForeFlight-based readback tip. Had never thought of that. Appreciated.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@kiltedpiper98]

Great video. The PTAC part was super helpful. That is the one that I needed help with. Now it makes more sense. Thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you - yes this one was huge for me! I didn't know it was PTAC at first but once realizing that was the cadence that helped SO much.

[@dustinbranton]

Flew into MSY and landed at night this weekend. This video was nice to watch. Thank you.

[@glennwatson]

In our phraseology here in Australia in our handbook we have the wording "unfamiliar" which you add to your inbound calls.

[@greyhavner5388]

Same in US. I've used it when told to "report when you're over [thing/place that I don't know]": "Unfamiliar". And probably more annoying to them since we should have airport diagrams, but still ok to do on the ground: "unfamiliar, request progressive taxi instructions", where they will hold your hand and say "turn here" etc.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Agreed! Good point.

[@T25de]

do o you have “unable”

[@glennwatson]

@@T25de We do in Australia, and I've seen videos in the US where people encourage you to say unable.

[@T25de]

@@glennwatson Fly safe

[@williambutler2177]

A comment about your #3: Don't COMPLETELY ignore the "net zero" information like when they tell you your position and altitude, because if the information is WRONG then it could indicate that they've misidentified you on the scope and you really don't want to follow the instructions. Only disregard if it's true and accurate.

[@T25de]

Good tip

[@therockindoc5453]

Great video. Very helpful and informative.

[@enthusiastic16]

Fun to see what the pilot side struggles with. Being atc I always assumed pilots know or learn all the same things. For the part about being confused, please just ask. 100% of the time rather explain myself than have you not do what I say. Keep up the great videos

[@martinsatherley8399]

Another great video. Your videos have helped me so much during my training in the uk

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, Martin! I really appreciate it and am very glad they've been helpful

[@JohnMGreiner]

I love the Play button on my Garmin audio panel that repeats the last transmission

[@FeralPreacher]

Well done. As a student, the only time I talked to a class B airport or ATC was on my solo cross country when I had to land at that airport. Not terrifying, but definitely intimidating. Thanks for sharing.

[@homomorphic]

Dude, that ring thing is awesome!

[@BrianRhodes9763]

Outstanding video Charlie, if I could like it twice I would.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, Brian! Really appreciate it.

[@MrHampilot]

Great Video. Funny, the 2 times that happened to me, happened in the DFW air space. 1. going into Addison on the GPS approach and they tell me to intercept the localizer. I was totally not ready for that. Since then I always load up the localizer if available. 2. I was given direct to a waypoint that I was unfamiliar with. I could not find it in my GPS. I just spoke up and had him spell it out to me and found it.

[@sxf093020]

Great video, Charlie! You mentioned your kneeboard - would you, perhaps, do a video regarding cockpit organization? Pros and cons to a kneeboard vs yoke mounts or suction cups? Also, organization when flying with a passenger and not having the empty seat to place all of the necessary items (particularly ones that don't fit into the side pocket)? Thank you!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hi there - thanks for the comment. I might do a video on this but I'm not sure there's enough content to make a full-length video. In my 182 I have a narrow plastic container that fits between the seats that stores my kneeboard and checklist. Alternatively the 172 and 182 have a little pocket flap by your headset jack that can hold a checklist or small kneeboard etc. When I first started flying I wore a kneeboard but I don't do that anymore. I like to write things down and then store it. Sometimes another helpful thing is a little clip that goes on the yoke. So if you have departure instructions or the ATIS or something you can just look down and it's clipped there. Anyways, hope this helps!

[@mikev1822]

Another great video brother!! Keep it up!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much!!

[@GreatDataVideos]

Here's another acronym that I learned from an former airline captain: NATS, which is for part of your approach briefing: NOTAMs, Approach, Terrain, Special procedures.

[@Shaneepe1]

Great vid Charlie! Now we need one for the crazy instructions we get at KADS when it is busy 😂

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Haha! Those are the really fun days.

[@HiTechRob]

Use the Scratchpad in Foreflight... also, if I miss a call from ATC or am confused, I will use the Audio playback function... :-)

[@rajagopalvenkat5462]

"Three paragraphs like Miranda Rights"... Subscription well earned, Charlie!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Thanks so much for subscribing!

[@AshleyWincer]

Great points; thank you..

[@HiTechRob]

For IFR, I remember heading, altitude, established, and clearance... those are mandatory reports... only mention position if suspect incorrect read. Remember "MARVELOUS VFR C500" for reports...

[@TheNotorious18x]

Great editing skills Charlie!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! I'm working on it. :

[@simcptmike]

Lol Im totally wanting a clearance direct to happy land! That's really funny man. Thx for the laugh

[@AirplaneAcademy]

😀

[@dancarlson7257]

I like your footage that went along with the video. You communicate ideas well. You made me laugh.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much, Dan. I really appreciate that and am glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@blakebrothers]

Very helpful video - thanks!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad, Greg!

[@ryancrazy1]

3:25 its so hard because if you don't understand what you are doing... its just memorizing what to say. Once you understand what you actually want to do it gets alot easier. once you decide what you are doing, you don't have to memorize, you just need to tell people what you are doing haha

[@OshowAfrica]

Your channel is really good bro

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy!

[@CascadiaAviation]

At untowered fields I'll throw in my plane color, "Oceano County, White and red Cherokee 7240F, left downwind runway 29 touch and go, oceano"

[@jamiemartin274]

I'm just starting my aviation journey, but I wrote this one down.

[@CascadiaAviation]

@@jamiemartin274 Glad you liked the tip.

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Thanks Charlie.

[@waytooslow]

how about a guest flight vid or.... that would be cool -- hint hint. have been pushed through KDFW a few times for my ppl cross countries. also flight following is a great thing in the metro

[@homomorphic]

Other than engine failure on takeoff and perfectly executing a 180° return to runway, talking to ATC is the absolutely the hardest part of getting a PPL

[@brodehaynie9399]

That engine failure on takeoff Isn't required luckily

[@Dan007UT]

Lagoon! Is the amusement park N of KSLC :)

[@jeffwommack1364]

Thanks for video. What mount do you use on iPad mini?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I use the RAM mounts. I like the window mount vs the yoke mount. The yoke mount was getting in the way during the landing flare so I switched to the window one instead.

[@jeffwommack1364]

@@AirplaneAcademy thanks I agree I hate my yoke mount for the same reason

[@Ray33416]

you deserve way more subs man

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much for sayin!

[@siyabongablack9344]

Very useful and helpful ❤️

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm so glad! Thank you!

[@joecavett885]

#4 can be really annoying. At my home airport they use two unpublished VFR waypoints that they call the 'turnpike split' and 'cross creek warehouse'. These are published in local ATC documents as arrival points and neither of them are charted. No normal preflight planning will result in you finding this information. You have to go to the airport association website to find it. The dumbest thing about it is that both of these are within a mile of published VFR checkpoints. Why not just use those? They used to have another arrival point called 'the white tanks', but I guess someone realized that we have a dozen sets of white tanks and nobody knew which set they were talking about.

[@greyhavner5388]

Strangely, I heard some ATC folks say they don't even see sectional-listed VFR waypoints on their screens. The first time I came back to FTW (Meacham Ft Worth), the controller said, "report when you're over the old Saginaw water tower." I look in front of me and see 4 water towers. I still don't know where the border to Saginaw is, or which tower is old or new. Like someone said above, "unfamiliar".

[@VictoryAviation]

If I had never been to the area, I’d be that guy that politely asked for vectors because otherwise I’m going to be flying the opposite way of where they want me to go 🤣

[@joecavett885]

@@greyhavner5388 that is correct, which is absolutely insane. The whole point of putting the VFR waypoints on the sectional is to provide pilots and controllers a mutually recognizable reference point. I don't know if this is a flaw in the system or a matter of how they set up their scopes.

[@joecavett885]

@@VictoryAviation agreed, that is the best course of action. No questioning that. But after you've gotten your vector and are heading the right direction you are likely going to ask yourself why they didn't just tell you to fly to the magenta flag on the chart placed there for exactly this purpose.

[@VictoryAviation]

@@joecavett885 Exactly lol. At my PPL airport they had a big Ford plant they would always tell pilots to fly over before joining the 5mi final. There’s no way anyone would know where that is at. I had to mark all the used landmarks on my map or I would have been clueless.

[@stevestevens9046]

I learned to fly at a non towered airport and when I had to go to controlled airport I hated it it was the hardest part of my training 35 years later I still hate it I avoid it as much as possible...

[@mathieuclement8011]

I was nervous on my checkride and asked ATC to clarify multiple times. The examiner said it's better to ask than assume wrong and make a mistake because we pilots will be the ones blamed for it.

[@luckygamer05]

1:49 - "Make straight-in, report midfield."

[@esalenchik]

😂🤣😂🤣

[@leoarjuncrasto]

When coming to airports Who you are calling? Whats your name ? Where you are ? **How high you are?** Your intension ? Repeat who you are calling! (At untowered) For IFR Write expected clearance in advance and cross verify and correct. Have your own small acronyms. For aproaches PTAC (pos, turn, alt, cleared) 3mile from FaF Turn INCPT Maintain Alt untill established Cleared for apch Ask ATC for headings or Radar vectors (if they have radar) Get familiar with local waypoints Class B airspace Get the Atis first Know what to expect (runway wrt the winds) Know your class B vertical and horizontal limits. Don't be scared of ATC untill you break a Reg you are safe, so ask them all the questions you have if you are confused!

[@danielwilliams3360]

@ leo crasto When coming to airports, especially ‘uncontrolled’ fields, after ‘where you are’ say your “current altitude”. This is critical to allow other aircraft listening to determine your position in relation to them, and whether you pose a collision threat to them or not. If you just report 5-miles northwest inbound for landing, and the other aircraft listening also happens to be 5-miles northwest, now that other aircraft had better call you back quickly to both announce his altitude, and to ask you ‘your’ altitude. So, including your altitude in that initial call would reduce surprises for both him and you, should you both be in the same position from the airport. Incidentally, if both traffic are at the same location, and at the same altitude, or within 300 ft. or so, an instant solution would be for the 2-pilots to talk to each other directly on the radio and separate each other by 300’-500’ ft. until either sighting each other visually , or determining that your relative positions to each other are far enough apart to assure there’s no longer a chance of a midair collision.

[@leoarjuncrasto]

@@danielwilliams3360 thanksss❤️ And also edited original comment

[@ProfessionalPilot]

KADS! My new home turf. If you want to right seat in an SR22T, hit me up.

[@etekplays4057]

This is literally exactly what I struggle with today

[@AirplaneAcademy]

You aren't alone! Hang in there.

[@carlosaircraftmechxnic2819]

Totally, speak up. I have repaired several aircraft and one was salvaged due to ATC telling the pilot to turn Right when he had just landed. Their speed was too fast and ended up ground looping their aircraft. So, just say “Unable” or something.

[@VictoryAviation]

Completely random question. If a C172 door is removed for a flight, I’m assuming an A&P has to make a log book entry right?

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Great video, Charlie! Tons of good, useful info there. If I could add *anything* it would be advising new pilots to listen to LiveATC. Get familiar with the various formats and cadences of how controllers talk. Find a Clearance Delivery freq and listen to that too! Secondly, at uncontrolled fields (especially busier ones), I don't *usually* use my callsign other than to say, "Cessna entering downwind for runway..." Nobody *needs* to know your N-number...nobody cares...and nobody can see it anyway. You can add the color of the plane if you think it's visible to other pilots. I do say the airport at the beginning *AND* end of the transmission. "Ferguson, Cessna downwind three-six Ferguson." What more needs to be said?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Great comment. Totally agree on all points. Thank you!

[@George4943]

Flying my 172 into JFK was .... interesting.

[@HiTechRob]

Who are you talking to? Who are YOU?, Where are you? What do you want?

[@thesecurityandthesecretary9747]

Hugging Keep safe always boss Waiting to connect my small house

[@JohnMGreiner]

Talking wasn’t as hard as listening.

[@SuperEddietv]

What in the actual freak? This panning left and right, close up, zoom out is for the freaking birds. Absolutely annoying. Not sure who told you to do this but their video schooling techniques suck. TOO DISTRACTING. Jeez, decent info here too. just scroll down and look at the comments while listening so you dont get sick. hahahaha

[@esalenchik]

I didn’t even notice this until you mentioned it. I found it easy to watch without being distracted, so I guess it’s not a problem for everyone.

[@SuperEddietv]

@@esalenchik I do photography and videography on the side, I even have a few rock band video's under my belt and as a pilot, trying to listen to what he had to say on this, it was driving me up the wall. hahaha. I looked at a few of his past videos after seeing this and apparently he has been doing this on and off for some time. Ah well, I'm not in aviation for the glitz. Good content from time to time, nonetheless........

[@VictoryAviation]

Didn’t notice the panning one bit. I noticed the really nice title animations he made, and how well the lighting was arranged, and his clean color grading.

[@VictoryAviation]

Are you referred to the really slow push ins and pull outs? I didn’t notice it while watching initially but I sure notice it now 😆 Yup that’s trippy.