Interacting with ATC to land at a Class Charlie Int'l Airport

If your apprehensive about flying into the controlled airspace of an International airport, don't be! On today's episode I fly into a class C Int'l Airport and show the various steps with ATC which include Approach, Tower, and Departure. See it from the perspective of this low time VFR pilot. See our GoPro Mounts for the Adventurer!
** Visit our Website! mypilotpro.com/
** Visit our Facebook Pages and Groups!
/ mypilotpro
** Shoot Video from Your Airplane
/ 1331887003950414
** Fun Places to go Boating and Fishing!
/ 1503818216776777
** Fun Places to go Off Road!
/ 1320333605387256
Background Music Rights Purchased from EpidemicSound.com.
** Check them out: share.epidemicsound.com/nyvj42
** DISCLAIMER:
Information displayed in this video is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be instructional in any way. The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. We are NOT liable for any damage to your aircraft or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions.
#goproaviation #aviationvideo #mypilotpro

[@unlisted773]

4 years later, this video is still helping people...like me! Thank you for doing this, and for your humility. Awesome work!

[@sccoberly]

A HUGE shout out to you for making some mistakes and going ahead and posting this video and acknowledging and learning from those mistakes. Good for you! And good for all the rest of us that can try to learn from them. Thanks so much for the video (which I watched the day before I fly into class C airspace for the first time!).

[@adaseth]

Indeed, great video. Edited (that's rare), no cam shakes, very clear audio, voice over with illustrations plus mistakes shown openly. Thumbs up!

[@tuxedoflamingo2010]

Hey there! I saw this posted on Facebook but can't remember where to comment in the group. As a tower and approach controller at a class C that deals with transient VFRs daily, I thank you for making this video. Very good information and experience. If I may I'd like to give you a few bits of info. When tower switches you to "departure" (whether or not they say "departure" or "approach" the frequency they give you will be departure. Since we are working both positions at the same time we mix that up often. Really no big deal, when dealing with a facility like this where they are the same frequency and controller. So don't feel bad that you also said approach on the way out. Secondly, the only advice I could give at this point, is please use your callsign (tail nimber) with every transmission. When it gets busy, we have no way to know if someone else took your instructions if no one uses a callsign. And try to work on what we call "thinking on frequency." Do your best to respond as promptly as possible to atc instructions and then go about setting your radios or tuning in the GPS etc. If you are unsure, immediately come back with for a clarification, with callsign, instead of questioning it to yourself with no response. Aside from that, great work and keep it up! Happy flying

[@mypilotpro8361]

Jason - Thanks for the advice! I did notice I replied a lot without using my tail# when a quick reply was all I needed...that's a mistake.

[@tuxedoflamingo2010]

MyPilotPro no problem man. It's all part of the learning process. We as controllers do it too

[@PilotCristina]

Tuxedo Flamingo I've done it before. I was trying to get in and I called approach, departure. 😆

[@georgemoomaw9437]

Like most humans, I learn from mistakes. It is a huge bonus when someone lets this 122 hour PIC learn from their mistakes. THANK YOU

[@jeffreyjohnson6982]

not a mistake legally, but according to the AIM, you should readback runway number when cleared to land :) 6:10

[@bryantan0210]

was gonna mention this. it is extremely important to readback the clearance and also the runway numbers

[@pdutube]

Old video, but man you published a real flight with real coms, where other pilots would have edited out the parts that weren't convenient for the narrative. Well done sir.

[@ginginthing]

Diffidently one of the best VFR Com videos out there that depicts a real life scenario. I personally can identify with this video, especially the duress of making a mistake and the pressure of a busy airport, rather than the picture perfect com videos typically made on the subject that normally do not occur with VFR pilots that do not enter class C's.

[@connorknudsen5602]

Mate you just made me a lot more calmer thank you It’s going to be my first flight to a controlled airpspace tomorrow

[@kenthigginbotham2754]

OMG THANK YOU!!! Humbleness WELCOME!!

[@alecboucher5984]

I'm going into controlled airspace for the first time tomorrow. This relieves some of the stress. Good stuff

[@gbigsangle3044]

Tip: If flying toward the Class C airport on heading indicated 350 (head of the needle) you will be 170 relative to the airport, or roughly South (the tail of the needle). Of course to enter Class C ya gotta get them to est radio contact by citing your tail number BEFORE you enter their airspace. About 20mi out is a good rule.

[@chrispustelnikas8922]

For clarification when ATC says 'continue' it's usually because they can't legally clear you to land at that moment. It could be that someone is lined up and waiting or a vehicle on the runway. On your first approach when they mistakenly cleared you to land I'd advise responding '(callsign) request touch and go'. That way if they didn't catch their mistake you're not forced to land or disobey their clearance by doing your touch and go. When it's not very busy approach and departure are often combined into the same sector which appears to be the case here. Same person, same frequency, different names. Overall solid communication especially for someone with only 100 hrs at the time of recording. 👍

[@JuliusG73]

As a n00b VFR only pilot with little Class C experience during his training, I really appreciate this video. You sound more real than the expert folks with their polished vids, making occasional flubs but not losing your cool. I feel as though with maybe some practice on PilotEdge on my XPlane sim, I'll feel like it's ok to make mistakes but also to expect mistakes, and not be afraid to ask for clarification.

[@markdristy]

Great video to help the newer Private Pilot relax and give them the confidence to go ahead and fly in and around Class C airspace and not be all worried about communicating "perfectly." Gotta practice to get good! Thanks!

[@corbandallas8644]

Great video. More CFI’s should show students that it’s not that hard talking to controllers. I just write all frequencies down on my knee board, be ahead of the controllers. I even write down runways, as soon as they tell me, I adjust my heading bug to that runway. It’s safer flying into controlled airports, way safer IMO. Stay up

[@johncrabb806]

Fantastic training video. Thanks!

[@pastordaryl]

Excellent video. Great help. You’re talking about some of the normal things that pilots who do not have much experience in controlled airspace need to hear. Very helpful.

[@andrewmcbride598]

Thanks for sharing!!! Great video for us new pilots out there! This was something that has been on my mind allot!!

[@0SKBooth0]

It's always interesting to see how ATC handles screw ups. I've been chewed out for much less. I've also had "no worries" from ATC for much more.

[@zacharynorman397]

Thank you so much for making this video! I am based at KDVO and I have not flown into a Class C airport in years. Been wanting to go into KMRY but the airspace has intimidated me. Feel more confident now after watching this.

[@kaasmeester5903]

Currently learning for my PPL, with the benefit of flying out of a class C airport. I have the opposite: relaxed when I’m on with the ATC, nervous when I have to fly into an uncontrolled airport with all those nasty other aircraft doing whatever. Just comes down to what we’re used to I guess. The initial contact was a little strange. Here in NL when we first contact ATC, we mention type of plane, flight rules, ATIS information, position and alt, and intentions, all in one message. And position can be anything, from “5 miles south of airport” to “overhead town X”. Though we wouldn’t use the boundary of the airspace as a reference 😊 Glad you’re mentioning to ask the ATC to clarify, even during my limited time flying I’ve had to do that a few times when I wasn’t sure, or simply call “say again” when I didn’t hear. Never got called out for not hearing them the first time. 😅

[@cherfieldm]

Thanks for sharing.

[@erinchillmusic8930]

Thank you for the honest video. I am on my 7th flight lesson and I butchered ATC calls more than I would like. Thank goodness for my instructor who is there to fix my calls :) I am absolutely terrified of time when it comes to my solo and ATC communications. It helps to ease off worries to see a more experienced pilot make mistakes and even take time to process what ATC is saying and what to say back 😁 I sometimes feel like it takes forever for my brain to register ATC communications especially if it's a question to me that I did not expect.

[@johnprevette7344]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@Beefman1991]

Calls were a little sloppy which is funny because we all have done it and felt like fools for doing them. It's nice to see others do it and it always ends the same way with tower working with you. Obviously they deal with it a decent amount, good controllers are the best.

[@alanmohlman3530]

Thanks for this well done video.

[@diegocuartas717]

Very helpful video. Thank you for posting it.

[@Semsdoyle]

Thank you for this video! I am a low time pilot also and appreciate you pointing out the mistakes that we all can so easily make. I fly out of Pegasus (50pa) to the north of Allentown. I have flown under the shelf into Queen city (xll) as I have no transponder. Again, great video and thank you!

[@takeflightsbih636]

Just what I needed

[@tomreppert5697]

Nice video, glad to find one with an airport in my local area

[@zhancheng3033]

Thank you, I’m usually afraid of asking some questions from ATC, this video helps me a lot.

[@jonathanmoore9661]

This is very helpful!

[@ohiopilot2738]

Love the video. Great information to boost people's confidence

[@piper0428]

good learning video!!!

[@kurtkeller1248]

Good video. Helpful, realistic...

[@AlphaAviator787]

Awesome video, keep up the good work!

[@mithunmathews7577]

Thank you sir, as a new pilot trained in pilot controlled airport,this is of immense help.

[@SW-hk6up]

Great video and thank you. I appreciate the instructional aspect of your video but more importantly thank you for highlighting the mistakes, albeit minor. We must learn from others mistakes as we can’t possibly make them all ourselves.

[@RTD1947]

Nice job!!

[@earnedwings5206]

Great video. I think we have all made very similar mistakes along with atc as well. Thank you for sharing it helps everyone!

[@jackjones3657]

Good video! It takes a man to acknowledge where he botched a thing or two.

[@ohcliff1030]

Great video! I’m glad to know I’m not the only pilot that gets radio nervous! I remember my first solo into a class C airport . I kept telling myself “relax, fly the plane.” It turned out to be a much better experience than I anticipated, so much so that if I could have I’d have invited the very patient controller for a steak dinner on me!

[@mountainof7]

Great vid!

[@VikramDoddi]

He told you to squak 0420 because he thought you were high. LOL

[@shader26]

I’m just a student pilot but we are learning that unless ATC shortens your call sign in reply you have to keep using the whole call sign? Also thanks, I wasn’t aware that you have to give distance to the actual airport and not the boundary of controlled airspace! And as others said, thanks for posting this warts and all, and the narrative which was great information. Appreciate it!

[@Shitt3r6968]

Awesome video! I am a student pilot getting ready to solo to a class charlie airport. Super helpful cause it will actually be to Lehigh Valley International.

[@twistedmr]

good video

[@farmgene]

I enjoyed this very human video. I am a student pilot. Thanks for posting. Looks like you were a bit nervous. I am usually nervous when I fly and have things to do. (Not cruising.)

[@an6350]

I'm most nervous when I'm trying to land and they keep switching instructions and I have to focus on my location in relation to the runways and landing prep and also just communicating with atc. . Hopefully it gets easier though

[@bidochon2009]

Great video. The best way to learn is from other people mistakes, and people who are not afraid of posting their mistakes. Thanks a lot. I'm a low hour pilot (+100hours) but my only comment would be to always repeat the runway numbers when landing. what do you think?

[@cessna_cj2038]

This is the most helpful video about flying into controlled airspace out there. Thank you Marshal!

[@AV8R_Surge]

Great video. I fly out of Solberg n51 and skim the edge of the Charlie on my way to Lancaster or Reading. (I have videos, if you ever want to see my noobness in action). Never landed there at Allen town, though. Is there a fee for the touch and go?

[@mypilotpro8361]

No fee for landing there. Give it a whirl! The ATC there is awesome...just let them know you never landed there before and they will be very accommodating

[@berndheiden7630]

I‘m not a pilot but why is it that the quality of transmission is at least 2 decades behind what we all are used to with our mobile phones? With all the modern tech wouldn‘t you expect crystal clear (digital) and noise free audio? If you had that audio on your TV, would you accept that? You would be out on the street and wreak havoc!

[@garywheeler2055]

What do they mean by “closed” right traffic versus right traffic ? Great video by the way. I need this 🍺

[@lord_pepperton9785]

It means he's staying in the pattern making right traffic for multiple takeoffs and landings

[@garywheeler2055]

👍🍺

[@LuizFonsecaDefensiva]

Your first mistake was found by the COMPUTERS, not by the ATC ( they clearly show you on the screen with an information flag beside your radar signature ). If it wasn´t for that, he probably would believe you and take actions to certify himself about your position IF he found time to it. Before the eighties, without the processed radar screen information, ATC had a fair battle with pilots ! R-The air traffic control today is a child´s play !

[@thomaskiscadden2374]

As a student pilot with ~25 hours and looking to get more comfortable with Class C ATC communications, I was delighted to find your video; however, I became even more delighted after finding out it takes place in the same area I am training in. I am currently enrolled at FlyGateway based at Queen City (XLL) and have done some touch and go's myself at ABE. When you said you earned your private at ABE, I assume you trained at Ace? Also, are you still local to the area?

[@mypilotpro8361]

Yes, I got my PPL from Ace at KABE. I had a great instructor and got my PPL at 40 hrs exactly. In fact, the morning of my check ride I didn't have 40 hrs so I had to go up for some solo time to get to 40 hrs. We moved our company, MyPilotPro, out to Montana so I am not in the area anymore.

[@CaptJimDavis]

I didn't read all the comments, so I don't know if somebody else mentioned this but why in every single time when you communicating with the same ATC whether Center or Tower you have to say the word "Cherokee"... I thought you mention the type of aircraft only on initial contact to an ATC so they will have an understanding/expectation for the performance of the aircraft. Once that is established I don't see the necessity of mentioning "Cherokee" each and every time unless if there's another aircraft in the frequency with a similar Tail # like Cessna 802A... Then Ok in order to emphasize who is who you may need to do that but otherwise I think it is just unnecessarily lengthens the announcements. Like we don't say Cherokee November Eight Zero Alpha every time but rather Eight Zero Alpha is enough to let ATC know who we are, after initially we let them know 80A is a Cherokee. I am a newbie VFR pilot too. Only 130 hrs under my wings and sometimes ATC communication becomes confusing to to all of us at the beginning. Especially if we get one of those ATC guys who talks like a machine gun. Still, a very good video. Thanks for posting!

[@nocalsteve]

You don’t spell out the phonetic alphabet. It’s just a Class C airport.

[@Frank-ue6eg]

Very poor comm technique by this pilot - needs remedial instruction.

[@SubParPilot]

You clearly missed the point of the video.