Why are Pilots afraid of ATC? Flying IFR with a Controller to find out! - Mooney M20J - VLOG

Join us as we face ATC scenarios that can stress out some pilots!
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We’re aiming to produce an other chapter or two with him covering more ATC content!
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Previous episode flying in this airspace:
Skirting major Class C control zone; no transponder - Super Cub:
• Skirting major Class C...
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.

[@kefka19111]

Here is a rhyme to help, 75 - My passenger wants to drive 76 - The radio needs a fix 77 - We're all going to heaven

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

Jonathan Rooks I am going to share this with everybody I know!

[@DNHarris]

Don't forget: 70 - We're in Europe, oh no! (or We're in Europe, doh!)

[@chudy183]

75 - man with knife ;)

[@IrLosin]

69 - I went down like a swine.

[@colinknab3850]

75- Bin ladins inside

[@Borel-nv5bq]

speaking for myself, it's the fear of sounding like an idiot over the radio

[@FlightChops]

Haha - agreed :) You get better over time, and when you're current. I've had a few brain fart moments when I was lacking in "ATC recency"

[@Borel-nv5bq]

FlightChops as a student with a little more than 10 hours I've had a few brain fart moments haha. Great vid btw

[@averagejoepilot6201]

Borel 2016 agreed.... most definitely

[@Ohdub1]

The only way to learn is by doing it. Just remember, if you make a mistake, you're not the first person to ever make it and you won't be the last.

[@WhiteLinesBlueSkies]

I was lucky enough to have a towered field as my training field. I feel much more comfortable talking with ATC and coming into a towered field than working near uncontrolled fields.

[@humptydumpty3345]

As a student pilot, i can say what has helped me with nerves and talking to atc is just reminding myself that pilots and atc are on the same team in order to keep everyone safe and to keep flying fun and organized.

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

When I was flying DC9's, the NY Center told us to turn 30 degrees left for "Noise Abatement". We were at FL280. Usually Controllers tell you to turn for "Noise Abatement" down low like 2000 feet above the ground over some noise sensitive area for people on the ground. I remember looking at the Captain with a funny look, like "We are at Flight Level 280 (28,000 feet)... Then the Controller said I turned you left 30 degrees for traffic at your altitude. Yes... See Controllers DO have a sense of humor. If we had not turned there would have been a big noise of 2 aircraft colliding at FL280. LOL.

[@davidf2244]

That's very funny xD

[@paulstimpson830]

...followed by a very loud noise on the ground shortly after

[@HalfStarFilms]

The hardest part of flying is talking to the controller. They seem like good people, I just suck at speaking with them and jotting down what they say.

[@joerag6077]

We kinda pride ourselves on spitting out lotsa info in one transmission. Its a useful skill when it gets busy but i understand that it can get a bit over the top. I'm often impressed by readbacks of things I have said but i just figure pilots are good at that stuff. I wouldent blame em for a "say again" though.

[@turkosaurus165]

@@joerag6077 The fear makes us write quickly.

[@CautionRiah]

Half Star Films They say everything so fast!!!

[@Thaillus]

@@joerag6077 ⁶⁶yhi yuh iou up iui

[@David-xl8zf]

@@joerag6077 I have no problem asking, I also have no problem giving you the same shit back. It´s more than once happened to me that I had to repeat a readback, because I was too fast for ATC. ;) Keeping it short doesn´t mean read it as fast as you can.

[@fermiticus4034]

7500 = "cheat code" for military escort!

[@Ron.Swanson.]

75 guns and knives

[@thisisyourboss]

😂😂

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

I remember a video where ATC suspected a hijacking, so they actually *INSTRUCTED* the pilot "Squawk 7-5-0-0", figuring they'd comply if under duress, otherwise question it.

[@BaronPilot]

The look on your face when he called the controller by his name to cancel IFR was priceless. I wonder if he even realized he did that?

[@FlightChops]

Haha - I know, right?

[@volo455]

10:41 haha

[@ml3487]

John Gault Are you okay sweetheart? Did you have a bad day?

[@michaelnorth2055]

John Gault bow down to the atc rulers boii

[@chrismast2790]

As a non pilot.. I wish I knew what you meant by this. Well over my head...

[@steveo1kinevo]

Great Vid! Here is how I remember the squawk codes. "75 taken alive, 76 technical glitch, 77 going to heaven." When you say it you will hear how it rhymes.

[@peterellison2220]

steveo1kinevo Excellent! Have you ever had to squawk one of those codes?

[@FlightChops]

THANK YOU! it was driving me crazy trying to remember that rhyme - I'd heard it years ago and it didn't stick :)

[@davidaranguren108]

steveo1kinevo See you in every video

[@Behemoth29]

I was always taught: 75 - men with knives, 76 - radio fix, 77 - going to heaven. But whatever works

[@austinbflying8001]

Do you have a good one for 7777?

[@chainsaw737m]

I have 2800 hours and due to my new job at an airline, I'm a "student pilot" on the radio again being based out of Chicago O'hare. The biggest factor I am adjusting to is capturing a long, fast taxi clearance, referencing it on the map and reading it back. I have 6 trips from there now and it is getting easier as I learn what to expect.

[@synterlu]

*învites ATC into plane* *forgets to update charts*

[@FlightChops]

It's great to see how much engagement this one is getting! Please share any questions you'd like to see addressed when we do the next one with Stephen; we're hoping to do a second chapter - another IFR flight, planning to land at YYZ, and hopefully filming the interviews at the actual terminal facility in Toronto.

[@DNHarris]

Where did the chops go?! Been a bit since I last saw a video.

[@Tony-gz6bi]

FlightChops this video was great! I would love to be apart of a team that makes educational videos like this! Loved the graphics from cloudahoy and all the useful information in this.

[@DrewLSsix]

Daniel Harris i believe he whacked them off this past no-shave-november.

[@billbobaggins5309]

hey, guys looking for a pilot to assist with some smuggling south of the border for a gold mining operation - does anyone know anyone interested ??

[@mjphillips76]

@@billbobaggins5309 hahahaha

[@hopeistheanthem24]

I used to be petrified to go into a class delta.. now I love it... they even tell you what runway to land..winds.. and there is an ATIS! Much better than approaching an uncontrolled airport.

[@Aviation101]

VERY informative. Lots of pilots need to watch this. I feel really fortunate that I learned to fly out of a Class C airport. Because of that, ATC has always been "normal" to me, and uncontrolled ops scared me early on. I took my Dad to Fort Worth Center to get a tour and talk to controllers, and I think it really eased his apprehension. Good video Steve.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks Josh!

[@pattmahiney]

Yeah, there was a lot of little stuff packed in here that I wasn't expecting. Good stuff.

[@av8rdav]

I love talking to ATC. I've never been denied a request. Whether it's Class B clearance or Class C or D communication establishment, flight following, I have a blast talking with them.

[@ninerocks]

Always wanted to learn to fly but I must admit all the ATC interaction is very intimidating!

[@WIRRUZZZ]

Do it anyways! I've been flying gliders for half my life now and talked to ATC exactly once. And even if you go a different route and talk to them more often, a lot of other people learned to do so before you ;) Flying is absolutely worth it and you're missing out!

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

It IS intimidating at first. Once you understand the airspace and what is required in each area of airspace and spend your life talking with Controllers it becomes easier. I spent 15,000 flight hours flying Turboprops and Jets, and after a while you get use to it, because you know WHAT to expect.

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

WIRRUZZZ this is GREAT advice.

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

It’s probably the name “Controller” that scares people. I mean, who wants a “Controller” in their life 😉 But seriously, Controllers are there to serve as a lookout for all the traffic occupying the space. They keep traffic separated and keep safe distances between aircraft and other ground vehicles. They are there to protect the airspace. As a pilot you participate in that quest by letting them help you. As a professional pilot you respect them for doing a difficult job and they treat you with respect also. But, everybody makes mistakes, it’s human nature. Knowing what you need and what to expect from the controller in different airspaces takes the fear out of your interaction with them. Once in a while tempers flare like with Newark ground controllers or Clearance delivery people. You can hear some pretty funny stuff in stressful busy times in crappy weather lol, I have heard some interesting exchanges from the ground controllers in LaGuardia. There is plenty of pressure in LaGuardia. It’s an airport built on a dock on top of a garbage dump. I’d be pissed if I had to work there too 😆

[@LennyCooley117]

ATC here with only a few years of experience under my belt before doing it ATC is scared of talking to pilots for mostly the same reason.

[@avinaashmohanlal-lythgoe4508]

My instructor just put me straight into the deep end and had me do all the radio stuff from the start

[@livewellwitheds6885]

it helps the most!

[@roblowery9076]

I'm a ex pilot and Airport fire fighter, this makes me miss it so much

[@MrLikeke]

As a FAA examiner once passed on to me: 'Never let anyone at any time do anything to jeopardize the safety of your flight.' That anyone could be your passengers or it could be ATC. Or it could even be you if you were to think about it. Just last night I was reading about a pilot who took 3 pax with him to the final by and by. Same old song but with a new twist, he missed the control lock in place because it was installed backward in his C-172 and it was obscured by the yoke mounted Ipad. Obviously that wasn't causative but it was a significant contributive factor. Y'all be safe out there. We haven't left one up there yet.

[@enotdetcelfer]

The info about the *mentality* of communicating, and then getting to watch it in actual correspondence was so helpful. Plus the audio was so clear. This was great

[@xstell132]

As a future student pilot this video is actually very comforting. The thing i am most worried about when I start training is radio communication. It's nice to see that people in ATC and others realize that it's a lot of peoples worry too.

[@Cryptonat]

I'm not even a pilot and I enjoyed this.

[@FlightChops]

awesome! :)

[@abnermills3453]

Same

[@FlightChops]

I am happy to hear that non pilots watch and enjoy the content, but this channel does target the aviation demographic, and that is in fact where most of the views do come from.

[@marcinsudo1100]

Good little trick for the transponder codes: 75- taken alive (hijack 7500), 76- technical glitch (comms 7600), 77- going to heaven (emergency 7700)

[@MarkFetters]

Or Hi Jack, I cant talk right now, I have an emergency.

[@schnitzelmopi]

I remembered it by High 5!

[@bziiuuum]

Well, as an ATC and a pilot myself I find your thoughts and comments really making the point. Controllers do not bite, they are there to help you. But it should be stressed out, that the more knowledge pilot has and more is he prepared for a particular flight, the more he can benefit from cooperation with ATC.

[@ImBradCrites]

As a person just starting out, it's interesting to hear how an ATC as a pilot handles situations.

[@gabrielvazquez1691]

Thank you for doing a video like this. Talking to ATC was one of my biggest obstacles I had when I initiated my pilot training. Very rare to see a video with this kind of insight. I wish I had seen this video back in those days. That also goes to all of your videos. Really appreciate the dedication you put into your craft, it's inspiring and I think I can say that along with the rest of the aviation community.

[@justinsimpson2335]

I'm a controller and VFR pilot. Helps so much to know both sides of the mic! Great video!

[@lants8096]

Nothing but respect for air traffic controllers. They’ve helped me out before(as a young mechanic taxiing airlines from the gate to a hard stand and then eventually as a new pilot) it’s true they are not here to screw you. Their biggest thing they want us to understand is if your not sure just ask, don’t just “do”. They can and will coach you every step of the of the way.

[@ww_scott7635]

I know that I have trouble talking with controllers, this video really showed the justice behind learning how to speak clearly and crisply and to also not be afraid of these guys.

[@Steenos]

I'm a controller in the US at a Class Charlie Tower/Approach. Also a pilot getting close to my instrument rating. I don't have as much experience as Stephen does but everything he said I agree with. When i call up on the pilots side I say "Approach Cessna 951JA with a VFR Request" Then I wait patiently. I Wish more controllers were pilots and also wish more pilots would take the time to get with an organization like EAA or AOPA and try to set up a tour to visit the controllers and understand each other better. We are not out to get you. We are here to help. Great stuff sir!

[@schnitzelmopi]

100% agree. I was a USAF Class D tower controller, but am in pilot training now. I had my instrument rating prior to leave the ATC world. Having a view of both sides of the spectrum was super beneficial. We held an annual event called "Scare a controller" around Halloween where a lot of the GA pilots around the area would take up a few controllers and show them around the airspace from the air. It would amazingly beneficial and one of the coolest things I've experience while working in aviation. It was also an open forum and a direct dialogue between pilot and controller. We also let the pilots come and check out our RAPCON (tracon) and see what the radar rats were dealing with. As a controller I saw a lot of GA dudes skirts the delta across the approach corridor right at GS intercept altitude. It pays to be familiar with the airspace and airfields in the area you frequent.

[@gbigsangle3044]

I have heard and done it both ways. CFIs and other pilots I fly with insist on a first call that includes direction of flight, altitude (at and climbing to), distance to field and intent. Near my home Class Charlie field the TRACON guys want just aircraft make (Cirrus, Cessna) and tail number on the first call, wait, then respond. Near Vegas, for example Nellis Approach (coming from the North) wants the full call with heading, altitude, and intent. I tend to make the calls as short as possible if the frequency is busy (as a guide) if not, then give more info on each call as needed.

[@lants8096]

Nothing but respect for you my friend thanks for the work you do

[@paulm5197]

My instrument instructor loved to throw curves at me, like covering certain instruments at critical times or playing with the flaps control during landings. I loved him for it; he made me a better and more confident pilot. Anybody can learn procedures under perfect conditions, but learning to adapt to imperfect conditions teaches volumes. Thank you, Doug Niester!

[@MikeKobb]

Boy, please feel free to do as many videos with Stephen as you want to. Really excellent, And very clear explanations.

[@FlightChops]

+Mike Kobb - Roger that - more stuff with Stephen is planned :)

[@MikeKobb]

***** w00t!

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

It's usually only fairly new or in experienced pilots who are afraid of ATC. But we have to trust them for aircraft separation, that's their job, and they are very busy (depending on the time of day and the airport). If a pilot is unsure, never be afraid to ask clarification of instructions. ATC may sound impatient, but if you are a new pilot and tell them so, they will be more patient with you. It takes good attitudes, trust and cooperation on both ends of the scope. Being nice is never wrong! If an ATC is curt, it can cause errors. Pilots must be sure of doing what it right or it spells trouble.

[@ikem.vanmeter1254]

The big thing, in my way of thinking, is that many pilots feel intimidated by the rapid fire pace of the controller's, as well as professional pilot's, radio exchanges. Additionally, GA aircraft are much more noisy than most aircraft flown by professional aircrews, so the pressure to get it right... THE FIRST TIME... is high. My best investment was in a Bose noice cancelling headset which, even in our noisy club C-172, greatly enhances my ability to hear clearly. Another equally important thing that GA pilots can do is make sure that they are familiar with correct radio procedure and nomenclature. Usually the shortest, clearest explanation of who, where and what works the best and there is specific phraseology for almost every situation that can be learned ahead of time.

[@torquaymouse2236]

interesting to hear about flying from a controlers point of view.

[@durrellhorst22]

Just used flight following for the first time a couple weeks ago through Toronto airspace. My first long cross country since becoming a private pilot last year . Thanks to all the controllers that treated me like a pro . Thanks for the great video Steve!

[@TheMYmindproductions]

Excellent perspective, I remember having a conversation with a veteran radar operator, totally changed the way I communicated with ATC.

[@AidansAviationAdventures]

I learned to fly at EIKN in Ireland , not a busy airport and then I trained under the JFK Bravo at KFRG . the way I got up to speed on the comms part was to listen to liveATC every chance I got . Now I,ve no problem working in the system and sometimes I,ll even try to sound like the Airline guys .!!!!. I think every student should have liveATC in their bookmarks ... Great video .. kepp up the good work .

[@stephenwholden]

Aidan Beirne dd rose d

[@AidansAviationAdventures]

dd rose d ????

[@walltransport]

Great video! I was taught from early on to contact ATC. I'm so glad to have that extra set of eyes to keep me safe, especially when flying along the shoreline through the downtown corridor. Keep up the great videos!

[@HazardousT0ast]

As a student pilot, ATC can still be a bit challenging to understand. This, and your other videos have given me a lot of practice- just listening to the chatter and how you interpret instructions. Thanks a lot!

[@rynetreatch9558]

Like every other pilot I was intimidated by talking on the radio when I started my private training. I learned how to fly at KCOS which is a Class C airport. One of the biggest things that got me over that initial intimidation was taking a trip to the control tower and getting to meet a lot of the controllers and see the inside of Springs Approach/Departure and spend time up in the tower. Getting to see the operation and put names and faces to voices on the other side of the radio helps me see communication as a conversation with another person. I highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do the same.

[@stacase]

Mike at our little non-busy class D field gave a tour to a small group. Very nice understandable young man and as soon as he clicked the mic everythingthatcameoutofhismouthwasruntogetheratdoublehisnormaltalkingspeed. Low hour pilots can't do anything about it, most of them do it, we just have to ask them to repeat.

[@jrdeckard3317]

Whenever I have a problem with a controller, I start speaking broken Russian. Slows them down, and they fear making a mistake.

[@michaeljohnson2922]

Lol. Awesome!

[@craig6603]

75 "Taken Alive" 76 "Radio needs fixed" 77 "Going to heaven"

[@BaronPilot]

That's awesome!! Never heard that before!

[@JAKjordanfilms]

I always heard "76 can't talk to these d**ks"

[@burnhard.]

76 Falling like bricks :D Is 76 only for communicational limitations, or is there any other malfunction that would render 7600 the correct squawk, while not being qualified for a 7700 code?

[@thetomgamerboi6817]

75, man with a knife

[@thetomgamerboi6817]

77 FALLING from heaven

[@liamworrow5303]

I like how calm and collected the p.i.c is when talking to atm and this really and this really shows good airmanship.

[@bembrin]

I grew up flying an Aeronca Champ with no radio so have always felt a little deficient when it comes to radio. It's great to have access to so much content these days where I can listen to radio communication to get the feel for it again.

[@AV8R_1]

I like that you included some info about using ATC when doing "airwork" ... I often fly sightseeing flights, either for myself or family, which means meandering around the sky aimlessly with lots of turns and altitude changes.. I have had controllers drop me from flight following because I wasn't flying a predictable route. They were clearly annoyed.

[@FlightChops]

Did you let the controllers know your intentions before you started meandering? because then what yo were doing would not have been un predictable. Anyway, regardless, yes, VFR flight following is "work load permitting" so maybe thy just couldn't continue to fit you in.

[@gbigsangle3044]

If flying VFR you should tell the controllers (on the ground before takeoff) or in the air on first contact what you are going to do (air work near location x, sightseeing over area x, short flight to destination and return) if you are not going cross country. That way they can plan to cut you loose or hang on to you dependent on traffic. Sometimes they will hang on to you even if you are just 'fooling around' so they know you are monitoring and they can give you traffic separation warnings and cite you as a traffic problem for others.

[@ifly7777]

LOL. I am already stressed with Vatsim ATC

[@fryphillipj560]

Ifly 777 what is atc?

[@realulli]

ATC == Air Traffic Control

[@PilotPlater]

to be fair, vatsim controllers can be dicks. Not all of them of course, one of their controllers in Toronto over a decade ago showed me how to fly a circuit and some atc lingo that newbie-me didn't know, but then when I came back to vatsim as a licenced pilot I got treated like an idiot.

[@danmack3173]

Ifly 777 same

[@realulli]

I know at least one licensed pilot who is on Vatsim, but on the side of the controllers. So, those explanations might have come from a RL CFI...

[@flyifri]

In only 100 years. What an amazing feat of human ingenuity, to have such a system of separation in place. Got a love IFR. A special thanks to all the engineers who make flying possible.

[@theturbodiesel]

I don't have a IFR rating, but what really worked for me was touring my local control tower and talking to the guys face to face. I think every pilot should meet face to face with a controller after their first solo...brings the anxiety level way down!

[@joelbuhr2087]

ATC/Pilot provides a very unique angle.

[@michaelcorey9910]

Absolutely love this channel. I start flight school next august. I'll be going all the way from private to commercial and CFI. Watching these videos and doing research on all of the nomenclature, techniques, and other discussions are really helping me get a bit of a head start on my schooling.

[@asokoniso]

Boy was that a lot of insight for one whole video... I can't thank enough for clearing countless issues for so many of us out there trying to figure out how to approach the controllers with the right messages at the right tones.

[@DominikNeumayr]

I try to take notes whenever possible. Makes readbacks easier and in stressful situations you don't forget what you have to do

[@pbbrown1963]

Good refresher with a controller. Thanks, Steve. Another good video!

[@sailhavasu]

Love it, Love it, Love it! Thanks for another real world realistic video. Working on my IFR and got a TON out of this one!

[@FlightChops]

Right on! We're happy to share!

[@Aerosnapper]

Another great video from FlightChops. So good to see something in Canadian airspace. Big thank you to Stephen the controller, who gave of his time, knowledge and AvGas.

[@Bravo_Alpha]

Being a controller myself, one of the things controllers are taught while training is that if there is question, ask. This principle is the same for pilots. There is no room for assumption with the amount of risk involved.

[@goatflieg]

The flip-flop on Stephen Newman's titles was a nice editing touch... made me laugh. On a completely different note, watching this and any/all other IFR training videos make me feel like I'm SO-not-really a pilot. Someday...

[@THENATIGAMERTRAVELS]

I was engaged in this video to the very end and always intrigued by the flight process. Loved the dual prospective of a pilot / controller. Would love to see more insights from him. Thanks for the content and great work!

[@dajack05]

I think it really all boils down to being honest with ATC. Be as prepared as you can be, and when you do run into something you don't know, ask questions to get answers!

[@71TFFC]

To those saying they are intimidated by ATC.... Speak to ATC in a calm, normal voice....speed both in speech as well as listening comprehension will come I PROMISE. There are normally only three things you need convey when reaching out initially whether on the ground or airborne: 1) Who you are....aircraft type and full registration number. 2) Where you are...general area is fine. 3) What you need.....ATC is there to help! Don't be shy about asking for slower instructions from ATC...think of it as a progressive taxi request.

[@stacase]

Exactly.

[@richardlevy8699]

Awesome job on this. I think more emphasis in flight school and currency updates should be put on communication. After all, communicate is part of our cycle of activities between engine start and shutdown. Radio checks must be taken more seriously than a curt five by five on passing by the mic. Turning on and making sure the coms work properly in places like Burlington is as important as making sure the wings are still glued on to the fuselage in the pre flight. Going to rent a plane which has questionable coms can make a pilot wish he'd stayed home all year! If coms are questionable and we are already up in the air we must stay ... Clear of heavy traffic routes.

[@richardlevy8699]

No, I don't know what is 5x5. Must have been flying with me head up my kiester all these years.

[@erictaylor5462]

My dad was IFR qualified for as long as I can remember. I've never heard of him being afraid of ATC. I've heard stories about other pilots being forgotten, like a guy over Stockton, Ca at 4000' in the clouds beaning told to fly east, then left on that heading long enough for him to worry about the mountains, but I've never heard of them being scared of ATC. Nice Moony by the way.

[@briander43]

I did a tour of the ATC facilities here in ABQ and learned a lot. This video reinforced what I learned. My biggest annoyance is the slow talker who doesn't have in mind what they want to say and "...ah..." hold "...aaah..." the mic key "....waaa..." while they talk. Or, the guy that says "...with you at...". I'm still new, and the longer I have between flights the worse I get at communication. Nice video!

[@GeraldWayneEllison]

I'm not a pilot but love watching the video. I thought it was cool to hear the controller say to call out the tail number and wait for a responce. Also, it's nice to see a video like this before I would take flying lessons. I love seeing youtube videos because I can see where things are complicated and having some background that relates may be (is) important. I'm less intimidated by it now.

[@trystanclark1001]

Us pilot's should always remember that "Controllers (ATC) are always here to help ask questions they will give you there best answer"

[@sighahnyde2215]

its a service, its our job to ensure a pilots safety but we wont know you need help if you don't ask. Don't worry about asking too much we don't judge - or if we do, you won't know about it ;)

[@rokape77]

Your job is to assist (on the odd occasion) a pilot maintain aircraft safety and to be a traffic cop in busy airspace. You can judge pilots all you like, hope they won't judge when you make your mistakes...

[@battmann678]

Nice one! There's no such thing as too much "face to face" communications between controllers and pilots.

[@joerag6077]

Seriously! It seems like the two never want to interact too much. Just something like saying "unable" because your not comfortable is such great advice. Controllers are only familiar with flying characteristics and pilot work loads for the A/C they work in most cases. There's no way they can be experts in every type of plane they'll encounter. It's on the pilot to tell a controller if something can't be done safely due to wieght, conditions, or even skill. That's the kinda thing every controller would be happy to stress to pilots. Tell me unable! Don't risk it for a biscuit.

[@nbk6418]

I had on experience where I could have been written up but the ATC decided to let me off with a warning. As a student pilot I was scared crapless but I'm very thankful how they decided to handle it. Definitely gained a new respect for them. Great video!!

[@ichhasseamerika]

Newbie here, just starting out w flying, but I learned so much, I think I learned so many lessons that could come into play much later. plus its just facinating. :) thank you so much guys .

[@mayjet1]

Let's see more of that Mooney!

[@FlightChops]

+Matthew May - planning on it. :)

[@jameshunter1016]

I love these kinds of videos! Happy Thanksgiving, I'm sure thankful for your videos

[@michaeljohn8905]

So good to see a controller who is also a pilot. Cross training is extremely important. I really enjoy just listening to ATC live and anything that has to do with aviation training. I would love to go up into a tower to train for a day. I feel that anything that has to do with aviation training will help me to be a better pilot and or controller.

[@ranaldcarlson7730]

Retired Controller and IFR Cirrus driver here! Great video and great comments from viewers. Keep in mind however when you cancel your IFR flight, you are then VFR. The transponder was never changed to 1200(VFR). This isn’t a major but what it could do is inadvertently activate another flight plan from an airport within the associated Air Route Traffic Control jurisdiction after you land and depart two hours later having finished lunch. What the controllers then need to do is suspend that departure (having not departed) and then un-suspend when the true IFR aircraft is airborne. Again, minor but some extra work. Stay safe and happy flying.

[@Ohdub1]

Ranald Carlson I need to disagree with you on this. I remained in my assigned code as that allowed the tower to have me tagged on their radar without assigning me a new code. Perhaps this may cause problems with the American system, but it's standard procedure here in Canada (YYZ terminal at least). Whenever an IFR cancels with us we generally want them to remain on their IFR code until they land. The target changes to a vfr target when we cancel the ifr in the system. Other than the touch and go we didn't land and then take off again later. As long as we continue using the code and the radar sees it, the system will not release that code for use by another ifr.

[@ranaldcarlson7730]

Stephen Newman fair enough Stephen. Thanks for getting back to me.

[@tonyfdesign]

Hi Jack! --- sorry, can't talk --- I'm having an emergency.

[@FlightChops]

Haha - awesome! - between that one and Steveo's Rhyme, I think I'm finally good to go with remembering those codes :)

[@stephensmith1034]

Lol! Good one!

[@KuraIthys]

haha. Here I am getting training in an aircraft where 100-110 knots is the top speed, and a typical landing final approach speed is 48 knots... Then again we do train7ng at a non-towered field and aren't allowed in controlled airspace anyway. But I honestly wouldn't know what to think being told 'keep your speed up'. XD

[@bjdreyfuss9811]

Hi Kuralthys,Decades ago I, too, learned to fly at a uncontrolled (non-towered) field. One of my flight instructor's admonition has stuck with me:At an uncontrolled field, which is the active runway?At an uncontrolled field, all the runways are active!!!!!

[@mpladd]

Interesting. Perhaps you aren't in the US for your training, but FAA requires landings at a towered airport for you to get your private. In the US you MUST go into controlled airspace.

[@trickysean]

I've only flown with a private pilot friend of mine a few times and I'm amazed how easily he is able to communicate with ATC. I'm right there listening next to him and have a hard time following along with what's going on. It's got to take a ton of training to be able to just work the radio.

[@aaronlippincott7385]

love a cameraman who can't focus on the subject, the instrument panel, but focuses on the back of the pilots's heads

[@ZicajosProductions]

WHY WAS I NOT SUBSCRIBED to this channel? I subbed.

[@FlightChops]

+Joe N. - right on thanks! New video every 2nd Friday, and Enjoy the back catalog of ~100 videos now!

[@ZicajosProductions]

***** Thank you!

[@jve89]

Wow, this guy looks just like Tim Cook!

[@KPFlyer96]

I learned about your videos on the Finer Points podcast. My wife and spent our rainy Sunday morning watching a few. This one with the ATC Controller flying was excellent! You have a real gift to make entertaining and informative contributions to our community. Thanks so much.

[@5128goldenrod]

This was awesome, controller dude....like a normal guy.....talking to a controller....,also like the reminder about PIC determining what he and the plane are capable of doing...which changes based on all the factors at play, incliding the I'M SAFE checklist!

[@FunPlacesToFly]

Excellent video! Very helpful.

[@FlightChops]

+FunPlacesToFly.com - thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@traingaming3240]

For me if somebody (like atc) talks to fast I will forget some of it and ask atc to say it slower and I kinda feel bad they have to repeat themselves.

[@FlightChops]

Yeah - I feel the same.

[@Tunak11]

I have landed at Waterloo and I can say one thing, the controllers do get challenging

[@ShuRugal]

Relatively newly-minted PP here: I love being in the system. If I'm going to be in the air more than 30 minutes, I pick up a VFR flight following. Even on shorter hops, I monitor the local approach controller even if I don't actually feel the need to pick up a following, with an ear out for "VFR Type unknown" calls that match what I am doing. On one occasion I even had occasion to pipe up and say "that's me, I have in sight". I don't understand why people are afraid of talking to the controller, maybe differences in training? My instructors were all advocates of using radar services whenever possible, and my DPE even advocated to not even bother with VFR flight plans - flight following gives you real-time monitoring: you're already talking to the guy who's going to be coordinating your rescue in an emergency.

[@gmontoy153a]

"Thirty O seven", "Four thousand for five thousand" ....... Some of the ways on how I don't recommend pilots to respond on the radio. O is a letter not a number, and "for" can be confused with the number "four".

[@bennylofgren3208]

What is a better phrase instead of for? "Climbing to"? Or just "to" perhaps?

[@kurtisf3366]

gmontoy153a It's nit picking like this that make some apprehensive about talking to ATC. The guy in the video is a controller and clearly knows how he needs to communicate with ATC. We don't need to be perfect with ATC, if they get confused they'll verify. So many people don't talk to ATC for fear of saying something the wrong way.

[@12WhiteBoy26]

I try to say "four thousand CLIMBING five thousand" or "five thousand DESCENDING four thousand." TO and FOR both sound like numbers but I would agree with the other commenter on this thread that most of the time controllers understand perfectly fine either way and that nit picking can be counter-productive. With that said I do like to try to be intentional about how I say things in order to make it as easy as possible for ATC to understand.

[@Ca-ks4vd]

yeah i go with the one threethousand climbing FL210 etc or descending one two thousand... thats lot better thand using FOR or TO

[@RichardMoffitt0]

sometime at work when using radio.. i would accidentally say in quick manner like 'Door 1-oh-4 is ready to go' when it should be Door 104. off the point... sorry. move along guys.

[@1BA_AV8R]

Me: "Van Nuys Tower, Helicopter 699PH northwest corner, reque..." ATC: "UNABLE! 👿"

[@FlightChops]

+1BA AV8R - haha. Only hick up with that story is how did they interrupt you, if you were transmitting, thus owning the frequency? But I hear what you are saying, they did not have time for a request at that moment and it can be frustrating to face that.

[@1BA_AV8R]

FlightChops lol I was joking but I understand their (ATC's) frustration level which is why I try to be as helpful on frequency when possible.

[@acekng1]

Starting my PPL in a month and am loving these videos. Thanks!

[@brysonblack9481]

I like the advice "sometimes there isn't a technical term for what you want to do." I've tried to be more clear and concise, using plain language after watching this. It has helped me to not stumble over my radio calls so much!

[@xwhels]

I am a pilot i've never seen a pilot who is afraid of atc ?! They can get us in trouble and we can too

[@maxpf]

why is he eating his mic though :D

[@wendellthorne4998]

Truthfully very comfortable flying with ATC. Bad radio work is usually confined to either too much or too little comms.

[@CamViesky]

1:25 man idk what it was about this visual reference, but you've earned my sub. I fly in Moncton NB and train in towered airspace, I am used to it but I can understand the pressures of flying into controlled airspace especially if you are used to uncontrolled class G airpace

[@GreyMaulkin]

what does "sterile cockpit" mean? you mentioned it in regards to the final approach. Also, what version of ipads are you guys using?

[@FlightChops]

+GreyMaulkin sterile cockpit means minimal talking and only discussing things that are directly related to the task at hand. I use an iPad mini4, not sure about Stephen.

[@ryanm.191]

Dunno about you, but I am shit scared of the atc at my airfield. They're almost as ruthless as the lot in Frankfurt. They don't tolerate any mistakes and if you don't call back within 3 seconds perfectly *you are fucked*

[@goodenough4399]

Ryan M. KDAB?

[@srestharakesh2174]

Ryan M. Are there any stories on Frankfurt? Seems pretty specific

[@ryanm.191]

Johnny Kush not that I have experienced but what I heard. A British airways b747 went nose to nose with another aircraft and the ground went insane. And no one wanted to say anything or make a mistake which might irate them any more. And apparently they were really mad and said that the plane can expect to sit for half an hour on taxiway before given instructions that need to be followed perfectly

[@SApilot11123]

Flying here in South Africa, I often fly international and I always get asked to " fly best speeds" or "keep the speed up", in a 206 this is challenging, apart from in a decent. Also as an Instructor, I've seen how this can flood a pilot's concentration with focus on speed, when focus should be on the procedure and approach to land. I understand faster airline traffic prompts ATC to prompt GA or slower GA traffic to "fly best speeds". But to a pilot they can feel under pressure to "push the airplane" engine rpm etc to fly best speeds, things like turbulence and wind also limit speed. A better prompt from ATC should be "Can you fly best indicated?" or "what is your current indicated?". This puts a pilot and ATC under less stress because of communication where both the pilot and ATC know the limitation or performance of the aircraft in the given situation and allows better planning and co-ordination from both parties.

[@mikesamerica]

For me, it was balancing the radio communication while managing the airplane. Creating a flow with the radios (like a before landing flow) helped a tremendous amount. We typically do not think of the radios when we think of CRM (cockpit resource management) but they are an important "system within a system" that we should integrate into our every flight flow. I fly out of KAUN and recently, I was beginning my complex endorsement training in an arrow and we flew over to San Francisco's Bravo airspace. My primary obstacle was simply remembering to breathe in the midst of listening to all the traffic. The flight went smooth, was beautiful, and I was able to get cleared into the bravo while flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. Quite the memory.

[@nitehawk86]

Oh, TETOS. I thought you were saying "TIto's." Like it was Tito's waypoint.

[@kamico2007]

I understood cheetos... lol

[@MarcoMazziniYT]

Dear Air Traffic Controllers: SPEAK UNDERSTANDABLY. If you clear me to land on runway 18L, don't say "cllllanruwanetyleft".

[@piotrkuler2474]

It depends. Clrd 18L is pretty standard and If You briefed that You know what to expect. But i agree with You in case of some unusual clearances they need to speak slowly.

[@hsnmd2324]

English is my second language. Being able to understand both the language and the radio language is very difficult for a pilot. This is one of the most helpful videos I've ever seen. there is no reward for your help with this video. I'm so grateful.

[@OGradyCharlie]

What helped me overcome ATC was knowing that they are there to HELP you not to get you there is nothing wrong with saying the wrong thing. we are all human, air traffic controllers as well. they understand if you need help. do not be afraid to ask!