Archive PODCAST - Why is it HARD to talk to ATC?

[@cabdouch]

I got a "possible pilot deviation" once and repeated back that "there was no possible to it, I entered the Bravo before the clearance due to a A/P failure", but it took me 3 controllers before I could get the A/P working such that I could let it fly the plane to copy the number. Hand flying my T210 up to 14,500 keeping clear of dozens of TStorms coming out of Memphis with ATC giving me the wrong vectors (sending me to Florida instead of Texas), and then once they realized their mistake, "resume own navigation" when i was in the middle of rebooting the GPS and A/P. I literally had to use the iPad to figure out my course.

[@pctgp]

As a controller, I would tell pilots I met or at pilot forums to tell us if they mess up. As an example, I tell of a major airline DC9 in the late 90s that landed at DTW, where I worked. It was late and we were very busy. The DC landed and was given exiting instructions. The next landing aircraft went around on their own. When we asked why, the pilot said, "There's a plane on the runway." We grabbed our binoculars and sure enough, the DC9 had somehow mistakenly reentered the runway at the adjoining high speed taxiway. (This was before ASDE-X surface radar) Instead of confessing that they messed up and letting us fix it, the pilot turned off their lights and hurried to the next intersection. I had the pilot call the tower, and he confessed to everything. He was very sorry. But the major problem was that he was more concerned about getting in trouble than risking many lives. Some controllers could be intimidating, but most Air Traffic Controllers are just like the guys in your video - without the sunglasses :)

[@ScottM4k]

His shirt reminds me of what my father used to say: "It's not that I'm always right, I'm just never wrong!" 😂

[@mannygathers2114]

Progressive instructions is the word of the day😂

[@KevinSmithAviation]

A great throwback podcast Dan. Definitely a topic many people struggle with. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️

[@cabdouch]

For some reason, the volume level was the lowest I have found on this channel. I had to crank the volume on the Video, System, and Powered Speakers all the way up to have a volume level allowing to listen to. Normally I run everything at 50% on your channel.

[@lnomgaudas1307]

Are these ‘glasses’ saying ‘I’m ignorant’?😂

[@ZagiBob]

I am a 71 year old pilot and aircraft owner who soloed at 16, got private at 17 and bought a plane later in life. I have struggled all my life with stuttering. My problem with talking to ATC is simply to talk without hesitation, or even start to talk at all. If not for this issue, I would have no problem talking calmly and professionally with ATC. Fear is not a problem, but an embarrassing stutter is ALWAYS an issue. And I have no idea how to confront this problem. Many hours of therapy have not helped.

[@danpage6044]

To you ATC guys , you do not control anything you communicate with all known and participating aircraft in your area and the PIC of the aircraft can tell you no and he is following the FAR’s if he feels that you are putting him in danger or he sees a conflict. To all pilots, students up the pros all you have to do is think before you speak. It is not that hard and you can tell ATC to be quiet while you are trying to figure out a problem and fly the airplane. ATC is not the boogieman, they are there to help you.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

One thing not mentioned is the fact that you’re not just talking to the controller, but to all the other pilots on frequency. Remember that old survey result where people say public speaking is scarier than death?

[@yungcaco1443]

Talking to ATC is easy as long as you remember the golden rule that is to make sure that you scream profane expletives at them from the get go and threaten to fly straight into them if they don’t play ball. Works every time 👍🏻

[@robertohrenberg5449]

simply put, mean controllers. The ones that act like they hate you and hate their job. One instance I was a digit off calling Dayton and got Cincinnati. You're doing enough flying an airplane and headed to controlled airspace, you don't need a scolding and a lecture to add to being flustered because you made a mistake. She was so mean I ended up flying AROUND the Dayton Class C just so I didn't have to talk to another controller. For the most part though, the nice and friendly controllers have made up for the [several] bad experiences I've had, but it's still in the back of my mind when I'm getting ready to call them up.

[@CLdriver1960]

One major reason for foreign students coming to learn is price. Another reason is because of resources, services and infrastructure that is second to none on the planet. Btw, there several levels of ICAO English, and as of several years ago, non English speaking students are now required to pass a language proficiency exam. As for FAA standards being higher: check out EASA and Transport Canada written and practical requirements from PPL to ATPL. There is a difference. The major advantage to having an FAA certificate is that it’s the most internationally recognized pilot license. IMHO, FAA controllers are some of the best. You know they’re good when you hear a Texan on frequency when going into Dubai. 👍

[@deani2431]

Are the glasses like a pianist that try’s to protect his/her hands from injury?

[@stevenmason9299]

My problem is that they talk fast and use terms that I’m unfamiliar with.

[@danpage6044]

And junior ATC guy, take your glasses off unless you are light sensitive.

[@Hedgeflexlfz]

Tf is this dude wearing?

[@TheFlyingController]

They are called sunglasses...it's pretty bright on set and I have a light sensitivity. That along with a background joke...

[@HiddenWindshield]

11:40 You "haven't had that one"... that you know about, anyway.

[@WolfPilot]

Oh yea, Matts not intimidating..UNTIL he says " Please advise when you can copy a number".

[@812MSS]

Is he light sensitive or something? Or is he imitating Data? Or is it a disguise of some sort? Just ... why???

[@pedrosmith221]

A blach eye?

[@aggibson74]

New design from ATCeyes. Off shoot of flyingeyes :)

[@peteranderson037]

UM, ACKCHYUALLY you're thinking of Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge , chief engineer of USS Enterprise NCC-1701D. Lieutenant Commander Data was an android and didn't need Georid's visor. /s

[@TheFlyingController]

Yes to all your questions, it was pretty bright on set and there was a background joke going on...

[@812MSS]

@@peteranderson037 Yes, that's right!

[@Aleksandar6ix]

Just because one is a pilot, does not exempt them from being a complete idiot.

[@jerrymiller276]

Trying to be non threatening, yet he's wearing those intimidating wrap around sunglasses indoors. Hmmm.

[@darc94]

Non English speaking pilots come to North America to train to get a Canadian or FAA endorsement which also implies they meet the English language proficiency standards for ICAO

[@darc94]

Additionally those endorsements are internationally recognized and would improved their employability

[@bradvr4]

First. LOL