ATC Communications and Radio Basics | Talking to Air Traffic Control 1

[@flywiththeguys]

This is an old video. Updated version HERE - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5Skn5KbodiKfZI We'll also update PART 2 of this video soon, but if you want to catch it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaS9maKpZd-ra80

[@jrprieto1]

This is a great video, very helpful, what does information Zulu mean?

[@flywiththeguys]

@@jrprieto1 Check this out - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZbbf3ubbsh5rZo

[@AnthonyFrancisJones]

@@flywiththeguys Excellent and really helpful video. I note that you say 'for 7 Left' Now, I know in this case there can be no confusion but we are normally told not to use 'to' and 'for' so there is no confusion with the numbers especially where one might fly to an area where spoken English is not so strong. Any thoughts and in no way meant as a criticism-

[@redhotphoenixgamer6009]

4th

[@masonpillardeskydreamerfallcon]

Yes am a student pilot but personally something that is now confusing me is the communication letters start from alpha bravo Charlie delta echo foxtrot golf hotel India Juliet kilo lima Mike November Oscar papa Quebec Romeo Sierra tango uniform Victor whiskey x-ray Yankee and Zulu just because am still studying too so I just want to know how we use them and where in the Sky during decenting or approaching

[@austinb5458]

For anyone that sees this, just tell ATC that you're a student pilot, and we'll make sure we take care of you

[@919dds]

That is great to know. I was very weak in communications when I stated out 40 years ago. Now we have much help in learning on KZbin and I expect to update all my skills and start flying again.

[@jimhinkle7245]

ATC has ALWAYS been good to me as soon as I tell them I'm a student. They slowed WAY down on their instructions which I appreciated a lot!!!

[@flywiththeguys]

The two schools that operate out of my airport are required to announce student solo as part of their call sign when they are obviously on a student solo.

[@robertrp3757]

Austin Brewis blessings to you my Angel.

[@pvtdipwad2944]

My CFI called it my cheat card for now haha

[@tinahyder900]

I am so happy to know that we can actually tell ATC to speak slower! I feel like I discovered electricity. :-)

[@FWTG]

I know right!

[@lants8096]

Praise Jesus

[@isladurrant2015]

Yes... not good to pretend you've understood when you haven't... USA ATC can be a bit dodgy/loose imho, in any case read back or say again should get you there. No explanation or apology needed, the aim is the same i.e. getting the craft on the ground safely.

[@rickyboy199554]

Same here 😂

[@bigticket9302]

I spent 28 years as an air traffic controller. Increasing the speech rate is required sometimes, but should always be clear and concise. There are times when you have to rapid fire transmissions after getting good readbacks. I had a pilot tell me very matter of factly one time to slow down. I was very busy at the time. I politely asked him to listen a little faster and said that I would talk a little slower. He got a chuckle of that.

[@Magic101trainer]

On a slight sidenote, when I was starting my first radio transmissions, some 40 years ago, I was daunted by all the complex terms and sequences. 1 little trick, was getting these terms in memory and I would often do this while driving. If I was about to start a trip to work, I would state my intentions out loud in ATC terminology. My local streets became taxiways and the main road, the runway! (I abbreviated the first letter of the street or road and the compass heading of the main road) using my vehicle rego number, as I was about to depart or arrive, I would even ask for clearances and do a readback. When sitting at traffic lights, I would look at the reg/tag of the car in front and recite it phonetically. It is surprising how quickly your mind adapts to projecting future instructions and listening for phonetically received letters. It may sound silly, but it really helped out with forward thinking and fluid communication (even after many years, when looking at and remembering from a map, I could navigate in my car, "left on Hotel, right on Bravo, right on Charlie" etc...I identified the street names I needed easily)

[@laibanadeem9397]

i think its great...thank you so much for sharing your exprerience.

[@t.c.chadden9818]

that is a great idea ! some people will think i am crazy but at least i can learn new things !

[@DJSbros]

You're a clever person.

[@whattheheck3553]

Finally someone chimes in with something useful, thanks.

[@grahamt5924]

Until I read so.e of these posts I thought it was just me finding talking on the radio very daunting task.

[@7heRedBaron]

“Okay buddy. Now a simulated engine failure.” Unsimulated panic attack follows immediately.

[@flywiththeguys]

It did at first.... That part got easier over time. Then it was like, NOT AGAIN! How many times can this engine fail in one flight!?

[@atis5607]

Dude my father did that to me once! i almost freaked out but at least i landed safely 🙏

[@harryroberts388]

@@atis5607 gday atis from TFL.

[@DIYOneForAll]

I am not even a student pilot and still enjoyed watching this video.

[@dforr2981]

Time to start. Save your money and call your local flight school. Ask them if they offer an intro flight. ....they all do. Take that first flight and you’ll be hooked. It’s the best thing you can do with your close on..

[@dman0044]

Good for someone that might want to be a pilot.

[@agussigaming]

I work as an ATC and although it happens all the time and no one is offended by it. It actually isn't allowed for the pilot him/herself to abbreviate their callsign. Pilots can only abbreviate the callsign after ATC has done this themselves. If ATC doesn't abbreviate your callsign, you are actually not allowed to do it (according to AIM). It is just that you as a pilot don't know if there might be another acft in the control area with almost the same callsign and then someone can mistake the instructions as to be for him/her.

[@flywiththeguys]

Absolutely true and thank you for adding this to the comments. We actually posted a correction in the description to address this very thing.

[@agussigaming]

Ha the one time i didn't read the description. My apologies ;)

[@flywiththeguys]

​@@agussigaming No to worry, you're not the first one to catch it. ;) That's the thing with the aviation, there are a VAST set of rules/regulations and endless information. It's sometimes hard to cover every aspect and get things and get it 100% right the first time. We try though, and that's why we appreciate your comment and everyone else's who helps to correct us.

[@carlsonlemos9927]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@ryanfitzsimons7388]

I had no idea the AIM said you're not allowed to abbreviate your call sign unless we do it first. My tip is when you ask for flight following just say your call sign and request flight following. Wait until we give you a beacon code before you give us type aircraft, equipment suffix (navigation equipment /A, /G etc), and destination. Half the time I'm scrambling to find a pen to write down your info and just hoping I got your call sign right. And some controllers are just grumpy people so don't let it get to you. Just take from it what you can and learn if there was a better way for that radio interaction to have gone.

[@DeltaCharlieABI]

As an ATC'er for 13 years and CFI for four, may I share a few pet peeves. Sometimes you just read back "six zero zero". Please, please, please, always use your aircraft type. Cessna or Skyhawk, I don't care, but that does many things. One, it puts your student into the habit. The tower may know what you are, but when you go to a non-towered field, it gives situational awareness to whoever else is on the frequency. Secondly, the controller must read back your type or November. If you don't do it, you are setting up the controller to break a rule. It is broken all day long every day, but it is a rule (2-4-20). Finally, you are not supposed to go to the last three until the controller does. Also broken daily, but another rule. I have a much longer list of pet peeves. For anyone out here, visit your local tower and ask them for their pet peeves. They may be different, they may be locally specific, but I'm sure they have them. Build good habits from day one, please!

[@DeltaCharlieABI]

@@navy_flyer2331 FAAO 7110.65 paragraph 2-4-9 tells the controller to abbreviate your callsign unless their is a similar sounding callsign on the frequency. This order doesn't honestly tell the pilot what to do, however, consider the controllers requirements. You may not know there is a similar sounding callsign on the frequency. While it does not tell the pilot how to talk, if you don't do it until the controller does, you are much safer. Onto your next comment, please keep in mind what this is all about, safety! While, yes, the controller may have your IFR strip, he/she isn't the only one on the frequency. If you are at FL390, it probably doesn't make that big of a difference. On the other hand, if you are IFR in a C182 at 080 in tracon airspace, you may be surrounded by VFR traffic, even IFR traffic on converging courses. If you say Skylane every time, even Cessna, and traffic calls are made, the other pilot knows what to look for and the controller knows automatically because you say it every time. Especially when you change frequencies. Maybe you have been on approach for 20 minutes. Now you check into tower with a pattern full of pilots. If you check is a Skylane, everyone on frequency knows who you are. It's all about habits, hence the best reason to always, always, always do it. If you say it's not necessary because it's on the controllers strip, will you build a habit of not doing it? Then that one day you fly VFR, you don't do it. It's not just the controller listening. Give a little SA to everyone on the frequency and do it by establishing good habits. Please and thank you.

[@jamesjanisko4170]

As a former controller, I very greatly appreciate this video. If it helps, remember that while a pilot may transmit to ground, tower, and ACDC several times in a flight, a single ATC will most likely transmit upwards of 500 times that amount in a single shift. This affords us MUCH more practice in relaying information on the radio. I have caught myself blazing through clearances only to have to repeat myself slower to be understood. It’s not intended to seem superior, though that can be the perception. Typical ATC speech rate is significantly faster than typical pilot speech rate simply by repetition. To all those learning to fly, I would offer this suggestion: Be clear and concise. The less errrr and uhhh and dead air in your transmissions, usually the quicker you will be received. Unless you are Mayday or Pan, take a moment to think about what you’re going to say. Say it clear and concise and you will most likely not have to repeat yourself or get flustered. The language of Aviation has been honed to get the most information out of the least words/air time as possible. Take full advantage of that. One of my biggest pet peeves as ATC was aircraft calling up before they had really figured out what they wanted. I wish you all safe flight with no incidents and as always (unless you’re a helo) check wheels down.

[@bryanjansen1456]

Serious question here: Do ATC controllers typically talk just as fast in normal conversation (of air)?

[@everybluemoon96]

@@bryanjansen1456 good question....

[@geezerhull]

@@bryanjansen1456 no, just normal. retired controller here. In my experience, the best controllers talk slow. The fast speech comes with having to think fast. human nature. Talking fast really doesn't help, nor does mush mouth.

[@Steve-nh6kk]

I want this guy to teach me to fly!

[@sdb87149]

I’m pretty good at the initial calls but sometimes I get mush mouth when I’m repeating. Especially when they’re throwing stuff at you in the pattern. But getting better with practice :)

[@mrAZcardinal]

As a private pilot currently, I will attest that talking to ATC is a little terrifying. They talk so fast sometimes using so many numbers; it's hard to mentally assign meaning to the numbers.

[@Yancyik]

mrArchduke is it hard to be a pilot

[@mrAZcardinal]

@@Yancyik It's not as hard as it is expensive. But, it does require a lot of memorization and checkrides are very stressful.

[@Yancyik]

mrArchduke oh alright because I just look up how much they get and is 125k I really need that

[@mrAZcardinal]

@@Yancyik When you have enough experience and seniority, you can fly A380s and Boeing 747s and make up to 280K. That's usually 20 years or so as a pilot, if trends continue

[@Yancyik]

mrArchduke oh

[@thomaswells4976]

"recommend saying them out loud... To build muscle memory" so true. Countless times sadly where I've pressed the radio button and then stuttered trying to think of what to say!

[@CramcrumBrewbringer]

I did my first traffic pattern with radio calls yesterday. Needless to say I messed it up immediately by hot micing while taking off. And it didn’t matter at all. I think it’s important to know that you WILL mess up, and that’s just something you’ll get better at over time.

[@flywiththeguys]

Totally agree. I still mess up all the time.

[@musinguzigeoffreyaeron153]

I hope you've it all now.

[@paulele8220]

This is literally the only part of getting my private license I find intimidating, because my school is based at a main airport. Having to jockey for space to talk and such to ATC between 767 and airbus pilots is freaking me out. Thank you so much for this video!!

[@flywiththeguys]

It can be intimidating for sure. Make sure to check out PlaneEngilish. They can help A LOT. Our updated video has information on it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5Skn5KbodiKfZI

[@daffiid]

"Don't feel stupid" ... that was some great advice. I have wanted to be a pilot all my life and decided to start making the dream into reality by joining a student gliding club while I'm in university. The mentality in this club, however, is not constructive at all and I (am made to) feel stupid in everything I do, both during instructed flights and on the ground. Even though I really and seriously want to learn. This has really drained motivation to pursue flight. It has made me question whether I will encounter this in the entire aviation industry and whether I'm really suited for aviation or if I've been fooling myself about it my whole life. Seeing the amazingly enthusiastic, supportive, constructive aviation community on channels like this one restores hope!

[@flywiththeguys]

Not all communities are like that. Mine is friendly as can be. Haven’t once found someone who isn’t happy to see me and talk airplane if I walk up to their hanger.

[@kylepatrickmccrary2781]

I hope you voiced your concern. Not just for yourself, but for the entire club and future members who may be in very similar shoes as you one day.

[@foesfly3047]

A pilot who can keep up with, understand and communicate accurately with the controllers at Deer Valley, you can fly anywhere in the world. I operate out of Mesa Falcon Field and I love my controllers for actually enunciating words and not spewing words at the cadence of a county auctioneer. Thanks for the video. Other life matters have prevented my flying for about a year and this has been a good refresher.

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad the video can help. And yes, KDVT is a mad house, granted talking at non towered fields makes me nervous....

[@scsirob]

One more tip; Don't rush your readback. No problem to take a few seconds before readback. Use some shorthand to jot down the information you received, then read back from the notes. That way the information doesn't fade from short-term memory by the time you're done reading back.

[@ThisisJohnWilliams]

great video! I am in the process of getting my private pilots license now.

[@GunnerHeatFire]

Nice

[@flywiththeguys]

NICE JOHN! Good luck and let us known if you have any questions.

[@impeccablevoice]

I am a 68 years old retired man and I find this very helpful and inspirational. Thanks so much for your efforts and sharing. This is so valuable to anyone that is trying to challenge himself by learning how to fly. I know I could give up at any point but so far I am not yet. Thanks so much!

[@flywiththeguys]

If you know you have any medical problems, seek the sport pilot certificate. It's much easier to get if your just flying for recreation.

[@impeccablevoice]

@@flywiththeguys Do you have a Flight School in mind that you could recommend for getting a Sport Pilot Certificate? Near John Wayne Airport California will be the most ideal. Thanks for your help.

[@flywiththeguys]

@@impeccablevoice I do not. I only know of one in my area at the Glendale airport.

[@impeccablevoice]

@@flywiththeguys thanks for your response 😀

[@tls453]

20 years ago, during my cross country flights for my PPL, ATC from 2 airports told me to exit the pattern when I asked them to speak slower because they didn’t have time to waste with a student pilot. I was so intimidated that I quit flying and have regretted that ever since. These videos are great confidence boosters.

[@flywiththeguys]

I'm sorry to hear that. Controllers have come a long way since then. Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@geezerhull]

retired controller......that's outrageous! never heard of such a thing.

[@Dan007UT]

"Unable.. the Hudson looks better" lol

[@guillaumefo]

so underrated

[@nanibly]

Thank you for making this video on radio comms. It is well scripted, with a lot of information, and easy to repeat-listen. And no annoying music or clutter. Especially liked the tip to practice and how to practice. (Rusty pilot coming back)

[@aacuna4420]

For me communications was by far the hardest thing. Had a lot of trouble understanding. Sounded like a whole bunch of static and mumbo jumbo.

[@cbcdesign001]

It doesn't help that some ATC's mumble and speak with the sort of enthusiasm you would expect from a corpse.

[@loretta1971]

Also, don't forget not everybody is a native english speaker, so there's a lot of additional processing.

[@TookMe20min2findThis]

Exactly my thoughts. On top of that english is not my native language so this is mumbo jumbo X2. Could they just be trained to speak slower and clearer for God sake. I mean i can hear clearer at a McDonald's drive-thru.

[@RoadRunnerLaser]

A little pointer for British student pilots: The convention for shortening a tail-number is a little different on this side of the pond. Rather than using the last three digits, it works as follows. Our "numbers" take the form G-ABCD. When abbreviating your callsign they will call "Golf" then the last two of your callsign, eg. "Golf Charlie Delta". Of course if you happened to be flying a Canadian-registered aircraft, they would call "Charlie" rather than "Golf", abbreviating "C-WXYZ" to "Charlie Yankee Zulu". And DON"T abbreviate your callsign unless you hear ATC do so first and then, only use the same abbreviation that they use because they might want to differentiate between "G-ABCD" and "G-XYCD", for example.

[@vivienleigh4640]

Thanks, have been wondering about the "Golf and Charlie" etc

[@chrisschack9716]

Just a side note, Canadian call signs for aircraft are C-Fxxx and C-Gxxx, and for ultralights are C-Ixxx. Other countries have other second letters, like CC-xxx for Chile

[@michaelcolletti790]

I’m just starting actual flight training. Most of my flight experience is with computer based flight sims, which I’ve found helpful during actual lessons. Your videos are a great source for learning. Thanks for creating these and I’m very happy that I found these and subscribed!!

[@flywiththeguys]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for your comment!

[@thierryguemboura1984]

Nice video. My home airport is KPIE (St. Pete Clearwater International) and we share the main runway with Coast Guard C-130 planes. After getting "Clear To Land" clearance, I have on several occasions (after seeing a C-130 landing while I was downwind), informed the tower that I would extend downwind for 3 minutes to avoid Wake Turbulence. I was taught that we are PIC so we decide what's good for us.

[@CasuallyYobudwilson]

Can't wait I'm almost at my college! I can get the job finally my dream job

[@flywiththeguys]

NICE!

[@virgiltoepfer7087]

Waiting for my first training flight. First one was canceled due to weather. Trainer sending his schedule. Cant wait. This was a gift from my wife and kids for my 70th bd. Lol. I was concerned about communications due to I have binaural hearing aids. My trainer said we will assess that when we meet. Your video helps me to know what to expect. Thanks

[@scsmithphoto]

69yo here, wanting to get certified while I still can. It's only been a dream since I was in high school (late 1960s.) Glad to know I'm not the oldest student pilot around!

[@luisrojas2803]

I just found your video. I've just got my private licence. Your video experience and the explanation along to the situation of your flying practice is the perfect combination to explain and illustrate this kind of communication. Thank you very much.

[@flywiththeguys]

Your very welcome! I’m glad you liked it.

[@yankunflies]

Just a sim pilot here, but it was really cool to see that you're flying out of Deer Valley! Worked at the Boulders, learned kung fu at 9 Dragons on Cave Creek right there until I moved up to Flag again to open my own academy, Sacred Mountain Fighting and Healing Arts (and I live a mile from Pulliam now). Ran up that little mountain ENE and watched the planes 3 or 4 times a week. Also just landed at Deer Valley and logged out of MSFS thinking "I should learn more about ATC communication" and immediately landed here at your vid! What a fun surprise. All that said, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for the great resource!

[@flywiththeguys]

Fun how that works out sometimes. Stick around though, we're rebuilding that series over the next 2 months with several videos.

[@finallyitsed2191]

Years ago when I was a student, I had a hard time understanding ATC. Then one day, my instructor took off his headset and swapped with my ugly green school headset. WOW what a difference! I ordered my first noise cancelling headset that afternoon. Half of the communication with controllers is clearly hearing what they are saying.

[@flywiththeguys]

Ha! I’ve heard of this. Apparently headset speakers have a shelf life.

[@alexgouthro3869]

As an old flight instructor I found this to be one of the best explanations of basic traffic control communication I have ever heard. Congratulations!

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you!

[@emmetwilkening7819]

I start private pilot training with ATP end of April. Great video and very helpful and after reading some of the comments it seems everyone agrees 👍🏻

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you for the kind words. Good luck with your training!

[@spencerherrick9392]

Just got back into the left seat today after a 4 year hiatus. My stick and rudder skills were fine, but I struggled on the radio. This video gave me some comfort and familiarity with why when and how we should be using the radio. Thanks again!~

[@SomeRandomGuy789]

Listen to LiveATC!

[@gypsieladie]

You made this so simple!! Thank you! There's so much to learn.

[@2503Erik]

Thank you for your videos. You are very good at delivering info. I have a BEG (english language) radio test on wednesday 13/3-2024. I haven't used my Danish N-BEG much, so I am studying hard. I know the phraseology, but my age (66) and nervousness is kicking in, interfering with my mental Rolodex. I do hope I can train it enough, so it becomes more fluent and easy before then.

[@davidmichael5573]

The only thing I would add is when you get to instrument don’t freak out when approach gives the real long instruction. Which will be something like: Fly heading ... at or above .... to (a waypoint) cleared (type of approach you are doing). Yes the first time you hear it and are not ready for it you will be like what did they say. But practice and you will be ready to say it yourself. It might take a couple of approaches for you to start catching everything they are saying it’s normal don’t overwhelm yourself on the information. It becomes natural as you continue to fly.

[@davidmichael5573]

Navy_flyer it is once you get use to it. But when someone is first starting and doesn’t have a clue it’s a lot to take in at once. Once you get use to it it’s nothing. But you also know what to expect.

[@BrunoMCDowell]

Re-watching this video 2 years later and still amazed at the TOP QUALITY of it. It is my dream to become a Pilot, however I have a stutter. I truly believe my stutter would affect radio communication and stuff but at the same time I do not want to give up on my dream. Based on your experience as a pilot, do you think I stand any chance of becoming a pilot being a stutterer? Please be honest! Thanks a lot!

[@flywiththeguys]

I’ve heard of a lot of guys overcoming it. It’s often related to the anxiety of talking on the radio or pressures of flight. I’d you relax, accept you’re going to make mistakes, and roll with the punches I think it can be overcome. That’s me personally. I’m not a Dr. But I encourage you to check out plane English. It may help out a lot! We talk about it in our revamped version of this video over on the channel page. Checkout our ATC playlist.

[@joesmith389]

It’s become a stigma for controllers to talk as fast as possible, but it wasn’t always like this. Many think the faster you are, the better you are. Pilots are kind of the opposite. I’ve actually told ATC I have NO idea what you just said. Slow the F down and repeat what you just said in normal English please. This isn’t a cattle auction.

[@grahamt5924]

It's crazy as a bigginer. It feels quite nerve wracking just trying to remember everything I am supposed to do in the plane and speak to these guys as well without looking completely stupid.

[@joesmith389]

Graham Thomas don’t let them scare you or push you around. It’s your aircraft and your life, and you’re in charge. Ask them to slow down, and ask them to repeat anything you want them to. Most people think ATC is in charge, but you are the pilot in command and have final authority in everything you do in that aircraft to keep you safe.

[@grahamt5924]

@@joesmith389 Thanks. I will remember that.

[@largol33t1]

Joe Smith, isn't that going to get you into trouble? I thought ATC lingo is spoken that way to avoid misunderstandings. For example, they say "hold short of two right." Won't they get upset if you reply "Didn't get that, do you mean stop at two right?" I've listened to hours and hours of ATC recordings (many out of JFK and London Heathrow) online and everyone is very strict in following the lingo used by ATC.

[@joesmith389]

largol33t1 You misunderstood. I am referring to controllers who speak too fast, not the actual content or verbiage of their commands.

[@Dingeraye1]

I'm a 20,000 hour plus ex-military and airline pilot. I wish to heck some of my F/O's would watch this. It's clear, concise, and accurate. Something we should all strive for. Great Job!

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks for that. We're planning a follow up video to this soon. =)

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Remember: Ground and Tower are there to help. They're not being rude, cross, rough, et al. They're simply trying to communicate efficiently, so introduce yourself to them on the ground, and be friendly and courteous at all times. Like wishing someone to "have good day" at the end of an IFR hand-off. Practice, practice, practice. It's just a "phone" call. Don't overthink it. Jot down the info, and read it back. Yeah, radio while putting in a notch of flaps on turning base is a lot to juggle, but that's what your CFI is there to help you do properly, and stress-free. Soon enough, you'll be sayin', "Boy Jim, I didn't realize how easy this was! Thanks for answering all my fool question. I hope I didn't come off as a dope."

[@theclephane2914]

Great video, no stupid jokes, straight to the point, helped me a lot! Thank you! Got my PPL at 60 yrs old, 6 years ago, love to fly. Thanks again!

[@flywiththeguys]

Well there was one joke.... And congrats on your PPL at 60! People ask all the time if they're to old to learn. I always say no. =)

[@codybrady4447]

Thanks for this. I’m supposed to start handling comms in my next lesson and this simplified it a good deal for me.

[@chetanajayakrishna3635]

Was trying to refresh my memory of radio communications after 7 long years and you guys gave just what’s needed to be confident again .great video and great coverage of what’s needed .

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you! We tried to get detailed and keep it simple.

[@bjanman1]

That's the best intro to radio communications I've ever seen. Thanks.

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you! Gland you liked it and I hope it helped.

[@nateboggs2974]

I am in flight training now, and I got my landings dialed in before I can functionally talk to ATC without getting nervous. Thanks for this video.

[@flywiththeguys]

Landings are hard. When I started soloing, landing and being able to use the plane again felt like an achievement.

[@OBENSquad_21]

Just got my PPL yesterday boy that oral checkride wasn’t a joke lawd

[@flywiththeguys]

Congrats!

[@dennisnbrown]

Congratulations. I will soon .

[@jpeterman57]

What's a PPL?

[@FauxFoxez]

@@jpeterman57 Private Pilot's License... even though the correct term is certificate most people acknowledge the use of the term license

[@jpeterman57]

@@FauxFoxez Yes, it's a pretty widespread inaccuracy. License is permission. Certificate is met the standard.

[@Lexrav]

Of all the videos the videos I've watched this is one of the most explanatory and easiest to understand.

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you! We tried to make it that way. In fact, I'm thinking redoing this video and making it even better.

[@nidenZ]

As a new student pilot i found this very helpful and informative. Thanks for posting!

[@KD2ZTA]

Glad I found this video. It was very helpful. Talking to ATC as well as understanding the speed talking from ATC is my greatest weakness. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE....

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@victorvodkafish]

Luckily, here in Australia, we only use 3 letters for civil aircraft registration. No numerals. No country identifier (you have "N", we have "VH-"). e.g.: "Yankee Oscar Golf inbound...etc"

[@daniellebird6995]

Years ago when I took flight lessons radio communication was intimidating,but now with resources on you tube,etc...things will be so much easier..thx fly guys..

[@flywiththeguys]

You're welcome!

[@isladurrant2015]

Nice video... aviate, navigate and communicate effectively. Sort of how you should be in life generally don't you think?

[@evan3350]

I think this video is so useful for student pilots or maybe certified pilots out there to communicate with us (air traffic Controller). A little tips, using standard phraseology in Annex 10 Aeronautical Telecommunications and Doc. 4444 Air Traffic Management Chapter 12 to communicate with non-native speaker will minimize error while communicating.

[@NavyFE]

Great Video, this is my hanging point, everything else I can get, it's the talking part. Your advice of practicing is spot on! Keep up the good work!

[@scottrose7737]

Thanks for making this video, just last week I made my first radio transmission on my way back to the airport. Me and my instructor reviewed what to say about 4 times before I actually told tower. It can only get easier from here on out!

[@flywiththeguys]

It does get easier, and hopefully the video helped a bit. Thank you for your kind words!

[@savagecub]

It’s simple ! Just remember this format ; You this is Me, where you are and what you want.

[@flywiththeguys]

Everyone has their own way of simplifying it. Yours works too!

[@brianmaltby1424]

And don't forget about weather....

[@dylanlaforest5019]

Thank you tons. I’m 16 and a student pilot and the on,y thing holding me back from soloing is radio. This helps a lot

[@flywiththeguys]

Check out the channel then. We have a whole section on talking to ATC and how to get better at it. GOOD LUCK!

[@jameshamby3829]

There's a 10 year old part of me that loves listening to ATC radio chatter.

[@flywiththeguys]

It can be fun. =)

[@ashotabovetherest]

Thank you, enjoyed the video. I am a student pilot, and chocked last week while trying to talk to a local Air Force Base, the CFI had to take over for me.

[@flywiththeguys]

It happens. THere were times I was fine on the radio and then something out of the ordinary would happen and my brain would disconnect. You'll pick it up eventually.

[@tonyrodriguez4223]

Very clear explanation!! Thank you for your Proffessional video.

[@flywiththeguys]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helped.

[@Allaboutmepodcast]

I'm not a pilot nor do I plan on becoming one. Basically was doing some research for a series I'll be creating. In one of my episodes there is a pilot doing her first solo and I wanted the communication from craft to ground and tower. To sound authentic. I really liked how you explained everything and appreciate this video. At this time would like to wish you nothing but success both professionally and personally. Take care and safe flying.

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks! Glad I could help!

[@DNModels]

Those controllers...always dreaming of being as fast as Eddie Murphy.

[@rfi-cryptolab4251]

When I was working towards my private pilot license I flew out of a class D with lots of corporate jet and cargo plane traffic. This was good experience for talking to ATC, operating in a fairly busy environment, and practicing wake turbulence avoidance. As a new pilot, back in 2001, I was more nervous going to uncontrolled fields with other traffic in the pattern. I was more comfortable flying to class C or D's cause that was what I was used to.

[@flywiththeguys]

I feel the same way. I fly out of Deer Valley Airport, the busiest General aviation airport in the US. I get caught up when I fly to the non towered. But there again, no one really cares what you say on the radio. LOL

[@jhodgepodge]

NO CLUE what the hell is going on here, but aviation-anything is absolutely awesome!!!!

[@largol33t1]

I agree with air traffic controllers that this is a separate language. I don't fly but have learned some of the lingo and I can see why they use it. It prevents confusion and is VITAL. One of the worst plane disasters (Tenerife, the Canary Islands) could have been prevented had the captain of the KLM airliner used the correct terminology. For reasons that are unknown, he used unacceptable and vague phrases to indicate he was going to take off even though he clearly didn't have permission. The KLM plane crashed into a Pan Am airliner trying to cross the runway. Almost 600 people died just because the captain of the KLM plane didn't use the correct terminology and took off without permission from ATC. One short example: American one-nine-five descend to five thousand. Wind at one eight zero. Contact approach at one two one decimal seven. Translation: American Airlines flight 195, bring your plane down to five thousand feet altitude. The wind is heading directly south. Call the approach tower at frequency 121.7 for more instructions.

[@n36511]

Excellent video! I am just returning to flying after an 18 year hiatus (raising daughters and no money). I learned to fly at an uncontrolled field where you didn’t have to be spot on with your radio communications. Now I live in Atlanta and my re-entry into piloting requires a whole new level of radio mastery. Your video is just what I needed to help me improve my radio skills. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@bristowepitts9363]

Excellent and professional video Carl! The content was also top notch, clear, concise and colorful.

[@beckcoombs6602]

I'm a student pilot and I found this video very helpful! Thank you

[@flywiththeguys]

Great to hear! We're considering remaking it even better!

[@ikay2102]

Good plain English, thank you sir.

[@ChubbsChipmunk]

Im watching this for a video game where you have to actually communicate with ATC like you would in real life. Now I know before requesting IFR or VFR clearance to another airport, I have to tell them my parking spot and end with my callsign. This helped a lot as in some cases they forgot my callsign, 751. Thank you so much, subscribed and made sure to like!

[@flywiththeguys]

We have a lot of people in here who watch for the same reason. =) Thanks for subscribing and liking! We're doing a whole instrument series soon too!

[@damianr11201]

Question: towards the end you say "with information zulu" what does this mean ...?

[@flywiththeguys]

It’s the current airport information from the ATIS system. We made a video about it you can check out for more information - ATIS Report Explained | What is Information Zulu? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZbbf3ubbsh5rZo

[@jo2ed]

Bruh.. it is great to know that you can ask ATC to "speak lower" or "say again." On my first few flights, I was having a very difficult time understanding what they were saying. It was like their mouths were machine guns. My instructor would respond back no problem and in my head I'm like.... "Wth did he just say?!" Lol Great video!!

[@flywiththeguys]

Yep. Exposure and practice can get you to that point. But, in the beginning its hard. Don't be afraid to use those two terms!

[@Krissy_Bunnie]

I learned from "Airplane!" Roger, Roger. What's your vector, Victor? You have clearance, Clarence. P.s. I have the same Corsair model ;)

[@AbAb-mm3og]

:) that's funny.

[@geezerhull]

@@AbAb-mm3og If only I had a dollar for everytime I've been asked "is this the sector for the vector to Hector? Always brought a smile.

[@gonzalosavedra3777]

Thank you Charly

[@rod1148]

Thanks so much for posting this video. I received my pilot training in the '60s but haven't been current since 1977. This is an excellent review. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dwaipayandattaroy9801]

Radio8, Taxi rup up nw, alpha 600? Sounds like 007 style instructions

[@jcburleigh]

Glad I found this, thanks to my CFI mentioning I should look on YT for such videos, as tomorrow's lesson will be my 1st flight (not as PIC) into a controlled airfield (KAHN)! Flew my 3rd solo flight earlier today. After my final landing, Ieft my Landing lights on all the way until just after hopping out of the cockpit (thankfully, before the school's owner mentioned it). Now that I'm working on ATC communications, I can't wait to discover all the new mistakes I'll be making!! ;)

[@flywiththeguys]

And mistakes you will make. It'll be fun though. No one will know who you are. =) I'm glad the video helped though. We're considering updating it soon. =)

[@flywiththeguys]

Hey Guys! I know this is a long one, but there's lots of great information in it. Hope you like it! Please let me know what you would like to see on our channel. I've got a good list going and want to make it longer! THANKS!

[@DarioBorelli]

Nice man. I ve been studying for ICAO test and your video is very helpful. Congrats.

[@DarioBorelli]

keep up the good work

[@alan.bossua2170]

Great information. Thanks for your Great job.

[@rogerfournier3284]

Excellent!

[@seapilot4042]

LOL What ever happened to " No Joy" and "Tally Ho" One other thing, with so many videos on this site using the term departure instead of "Take off" it's nice to hear it done right.

[@mark2727]

During my initial flight training, my instructor handled ALL of the radio traffic as he had the Headset and I did not own a DC headset at that time. Most of the ATC instructions came in so quickly that I didn't have time to respond because he had responded before I could (and I was busy flying the aircraft). Practice does help with someone sitting across from you acting as Ground & ATC. And, it's important to practice communications with ATC with an emergency scenario, or asking for clearances VFR/IFR, or just asking for directions because your "lost" and cant find the airport. ATC is there to help.

[@thegamessilva-bn6bh]

In KTMB we contact clearance delivery, then ground then tower

[@mrAZcardinal]

Same with KSLC

[@AlphaGolf1]

I think I've see you before! I work at KTMB!

[@jimoaks9270]

good stuff. i’m a former approach controller at lax. we didn’t get a lot of rooks there but we can usually detect confidence levels in the pilot and try to factor that into our comms w/ them.

[@flywiththeguys]

I appreciate that. I'm still a goofball on the radio so I'm sure I would fit into the, "this guy has no idea what he's doing" category. LOL

[@nolonger1410]

this is really helpful for me, thanks alot

[@migelprager1097]

No matter if you are in USA, EU, or Asia: 90% of ATC speak like monks trying to sound cool... They are the spoken version of a physician handwriting! . Thank you "Fly With The Guys" for making the confirmations extra-clear! because most of the time it was only at this point that I was able to know what the ATC was saying!

[@flywiththeguys]

I really tried to slow down. But we did complete the closed captions for this video if you want to see what they said.

[@FlywithJim]

Great job Carl!

[@ChessInstructorSF]

I am an amateur radio operator (yes that means HAM radio) and I love listening to pilots and ATC communicate. This bit of confirmation is so vital, because you sound much different on the radio than in real life, and that might be the difference in understanding what was said, and interpreting what was said. Good job! I like that you explained and showed a real life situation.

[@flywiththeguys]

Real quick guys, when using your abbreviated call sign, you should wait to use it until after ATC does. It’s written in the AIM this way in case there are other aircraft in the vicinity with a similar call sign. We talk about it a bit more in PART 2 of this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaS9maKpZd-ra80

[@ChiDraconis]

*Correct* Also work that "revert to plain language" does not say "Speak with pronounced drawl like you are trying out for A-List Actor" → Locally I can just say zero seven five to GRK regional radar and they would know that is the 172

[@emreyavuz8246]

Thank you for the video, I’d appreciate more if you could’ve type the conversation with ATC; that way it’d be easy to read what actually you are saying!!

[@flywiththeguys]

@@emreyavuz8246 Turn on the closed captions. I spent a bunch of time trying to make them right.

[@rickkorchinski8179]

11

[@tombrown8829]

Love this stuff. My best friend is A pilot and mechanic FOR a huge oklahomacompany. This helps me communicate with him..

[@flywiththeguys]

Great! Glad it helps.

[@gomesgomes4496]

I’m 11 and I’m already doing flight training

[@letssee204tuone2]

Gomes Gomes Where are you from?

[@jasonk795]

Join your local Civil Air Patrol. They will help you get your license and you will automatically be higher in rank if you join the airforce. You will get thru basic training a lot faster.

[@jasonk795]

@@gomesgomes4496 I'm in training also. The plane is a Piper Warrior 2. Today I preformed takeoff, ground maneuvers, s-turns and landing. Yesterday we performed steep bank turns slow flight, clean and dirty stalls and first time landing without help. The steep bank turns feel weird. You are lucky to have such a great uncle. Keep it up.😁

[@gomesgomes4496]

@Jason Kotolski thanks. I’m just starting flying so I am still the basic controls ex carb heat. But I am already landing by myself and my instructor said he told everyone later and they thought he was lying. Then I walked out o the plane and they froze. Lol. I’m also starting to talk to atc that’s why I’m at this video. Where and how did you start your flight training. I do mine at Billy Bishop Toronto city center.

[@jasonk795]

@@gomesgomes4496 I looked up flight instruction near me on the internet. I have two flight schools near me and interviewed instructors at both and went with a retired Army pilot. I figured he has more hours, experience and connections. He doesn't even charge me for ground school. Most of my cost is for airplane rental and fuel. He gets about $20 per flight that takes about 1.5 hours. He doesn't do it for the money. He says he gets about $100,000 for retirement each year. He also worked as a commercial airline pilot and Courier pilot up to retirement. He's a great role model for me not having a father growing up. I landed for the first time myself two weeks ago. Bounced it on the first touchdown. Lol. I hovered it a little and tried to make it land. I'm not use to ground effects yet.

[@johnmorrow3122]

Great Job - One minor correction - Cleared for the option includes 4 things, full stop, touch and go, stop and go and also "no landing" low approach - In your presentation you left out the latter - Another point in future presentations you may wish to describe a very little used and mostly unknown approach called an "overhead approach" Can be extremely useful especially during instrument approached when you break out high over the approach end of the runway and need to circle to land in your initial direction into the wind

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks! Both good points and would be great for a more advanced video. When I made this one it was really geared at student pilots and I didn't want to overwhelm them... which I did anyways. 😂 I did do my first overhead approach recently though, but it was because I was in a fast plane being squeezed in between some 172's.

[@chltmdwp]

I was so cool hearing live communications between piilots and ATC at my local airport. Thank you for the Liveatc tip! It is very hard to understand what they are saying but when you explained their own radio terminologies, I sort of understood.

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mohdh7489]

so do I

[@raymondkoonce5827]

You could start by fixing the title. In the U.S. there is no such thing as a "Private Pilot's License".

[@aquaticllamas28]

What

[@raymondkoonce5827]

@@aquaticllamas28 We receive a Pilot's Certificate. A license is a fee paid to some governmental department and does not necessarily include knowing what you're doing. A license normally has to be renewed, like a driver's license. A certificate, such as a college diploma, indicates what is usually considered a level of training and is yours for life, like our pilot's certificate. The exception is a flight instructor's license. To call our certificate a license is demeaning. BTW, I'm a retired USAF fighter pilot and civilian charter pilot with over 20,000 hours. I do not have a pilot's license and never had one. Think about it.

[@victorvodkafish]

Very interesting, thanks for pointing this out Raymond. ....Allan in OZ

[@Peter-zw2xb]

Relax Francis

[@davidsine4390]

Never ask someone if they're a fighter pilot. If they are, they will tell you. If they aren't, your only going to embarrass them. Now drop and give me 40, then carry on airman. Any chance milatary pilots could just stay in the milatary? Even as F/O's they're usually a PITA. You always know it's going to be a long paring when they introduce themselves with their milatary resume and number of hours.

[@ArizonaFlyDude]

This helped me a lot thank you. I just did my first cross country here in AZ. I have my second one Monday from P03 > KTUS > KSAD > P03

[@flywiththeguys]

Awesome! Glad we were able to help you. You should be on your cross country right now... Hope it's all going well!

[@keithgeisen]

Well done Sir: My daughter, for my 73 birthday gave me a 1hr tour flight - My history in a plane is -0- except for military hops and a couple of vacations. I was allowed in the second seat. Weather - wind gusts to 25 Knots - The pilot who's name is "Faith" and a weight all of 100 lb.'s asked if we were concerned because flight will be interesting. I was OK and so was my daughter. Watching her doing the check list's and we were up in the air in no time - after 5 minutes she asked if I wanted the controls ? For the first time in my life I had control and found taking the wheel was a thrill of a life time. Turbulence so much fun but my daughter was looking for a paper bag. I was up for the task and found a new adventure. Controlling the planes altitude of 2,500 ft. was a challenge but she said I did well. She landed and did well also. I don't have the resources for pilot training but nothing is going to stop me from going for more flights with Faith on my left side. I now have a better idea of the radio wordage used - Thank and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks for the story! We love getting people into aviation. There are always ways to get your PPL for less if you look and try hard. Check out this video we made on it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIWZk3-Mq9eBeZY

[@bobalzano2296]

I always had a dream to be a pilot, but I ended up doing law. but it always very nice to watch this kinds of videos, because the dream doesn't get old, and one day I will hopefully fly a plane

[@flywiththeguys]

It's an amazing thing. I highly recommend it. Thanks for watching!

[@DerbyMods]

This is great for listening to ATC communications on KZbin at 4AM

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks. =)

[@kirkbrooks9447]

This was a good video, the tech has increased exponentially since I was a kid in the 70's and my uncle would come into town and take me up in his Tri-Pacer or a local rental. Nobody wore headsets and discerning tower/ground communications over engine and wind noise was pretty much like learning a new language. I plan on getting me some quality headsets when I start my lessons.

[@texasfly9925]

I trained a great deal at a class D airport where numerous flight schools were active.....meaning lots of communication was constantly going on. The one thing that help me probably more than anything was the purchase and use of a handheld radio receiving airport communication frequencies. I would sometimes just sit at the airport and watch the airplanes in the pattern and listen to the communications going on. The tower would use communications very much like what is in this video. It helped me to see the traffic, hear the communications and see the responses that other pilots were making. I highly recommend it; for about $100 you can get a lot of benefit from it.

[@chrisduda]

texasfly99 I use it to take down atis to save Hobbs time. Lol I’m cheap like that.

[@texasfly9925]

Chris Li, Esq. I hear ya!! Me too....I mean cheap that way!! I like to say I am 'Resourceful!!' 👍🏼. It's all good!!

[@afrodieter8891]

Just wanna say this right away before I even start watching further: Yes you are right. It is VERY intimidating. Imagine it for a non native speaker at Basel airport. People continuously speak french and occasionally you get to hear what french people consider to be english. And then your brain has to be fast enough to understand. So this is why i searched for videos like this.

[@flywiththeguys]

Language barrier can be a real problem. Even at my airport when I was training! We had a LOT of international students that struggled with English.

[@ckakalak2]

I have no aviation training. I'm playing Infinite Flight & trying to self teach. This was very helpful thank you

[@flywiththeguys]

Great! Glad it helped.

[@FTroop37F]

Hey Carl....Great info for a new paramotor pilot who will be listening at all times and may have to talk to ATC once in a while. Thank you very much.

[@flywiththeguys]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Youtuber-o]

Thanks for the video, it is very helpful. I am a commercial but I have not flown in many years. I am getting ready to go bak to flying and this video is perfect to refresh a lot of things i forgot.

[@flywiththeguys]

No problem. Glad you liked it. Happy to hear you're getting back into flying. Thats great!

[@az_pit_viper4270]

I will be using Flight Sim X Steam edition as a training tool for ATC comms. As I starting writing down my first noted from this video I wrote down Deer Valley as my airport example. To my surprise that is where this video ended up being based out of. I spend a lot of time at KDVT, great little airport and great food too lol. Maybe I'll see you out there some time.