Pilots? I`m doing my ppl and is there any help for rookies with radio telephony.?

Question

Is there some way I can practice, or c.d. roms or help I can get out there? Instructor sez I`ve got to start doing the radio soon - and I`m worried I might screw it up.... Thanks guys

Answer 1

I used to have my students speaking for the first several times on the radio to just say to me what they think they should say next to ATC before they do it. That way you learn quicker how to get what's in your head into the microphone in a way that ATC will understand what you want. If your instructor has to tell you what to say each time it'll take forever to get comfortable at it. So make yourself form the words. Only you and your instructor will hear your screwups. You don't even have to wait until you and your instructor are in the cockpit to practice. I assume from your question that you've already been flying with your instructor and watched and heard what he said into the mic. You may have noticed that most of his requests to ATC really only contain three things; who you are, where you are, what do you want to do. It really is that simple most of the time. So if you can sit in your room and visualize for instance, that you started your engine and now you want to taxi to the runway just say it outloud, who are you? where are you? what do you want to do. Then pretend you just switched from ground to tower and finnished your runup and now are ready to takeoff; who are you-cessna 123; where are you; runway one five; what do you want to do; I wanna takeoff and right now damnit. Just kidding. "Ready for takeoff" will probably go over better with the tower pukes. It'll sound something like this. "Cessna 123



You will not be perfect for some time and don't be discouraged because in the beginning if that's all you do; who, where; what; you'll miss some minor stuff like the atis info or some other little detail but you at least will have told the tower or ground what your immediate need is. They'll ask you for anything you left out. Don't sweat it for now. You are just trying to build confidence talking on the radio at this point.



Now a neat thing to do is plug your ears and you'll be able to hear every little tone and nuance in your voice like the volume's turned up inside your head. It makes it easy to practice your Chuck Yeager drawl real quiet like so nobody will think you're some nut talking to yourself. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

Answer 2

Well I can see that ppl here have already given you help with places to get some practice in, so I will offer you some of my own help.

1st it's normal for every pilot to experience a little anxiety with the radio. When you are ready to talk with someone on the radio just remember there's no need for speed, just think 1st, & then talk. Another way to put is " make sure you put your brain in gear before engaging mouth"

Learn the phonetic alphabet inside out (you know alpha, bravo, charlie..etc..)

Don't be afraid to make a mistake. If you make a mis-statement just stop, & say "correction" & then say what you were supposed to say.

Finally, when you have said your part on the radio be ready to LISTEN to the response, so you can properly understand what was said to you, & correctly read back any ATC instructions you were given.

I have personally heard cases over the air between a pilot & ATC where the pilot expected a certain response from ATC & when it varied from the expected the pilot either didn't properly hear it, or he/she didn't know how to respond, & it resulted in an additional & unnecessary exchange between the pilot & ATC while I was waiting for my turn with the controller.

We pilots all share the air & the radio waves, & we don't mind sharing it with a pilot who is slow & deliberate as long as he/she gets the job done effectively.

I learned a long time ago that it is far better to take the time to think while the time is available, than it is to rush ahead & then have to go back for a re-do. (you don't always get a 2nd chance when flying).

So just 1) THINK, 2) TALK, 3) LISTEN & don't be afraid to make a mistake once in awhile. I still do after about 20yrs of flying.

Happy Landings! :-)

Answer 3

I think Sporty's (www.sportys.com, item # D852A) has a CD that will help you practice your radio stuff. Kings Schools may also have one.

A big practice aid I recommend is buy an inexpensive scanner tuned to the aircraft band and just listen. You can learn a lot by that method. Anything you don't know, ask your instructor or another pilot; most will be happy to help you. And, relax. Every new pilot makes mistakes on the radio, we chuckle about it, and then remember how we did the same things. And, controllers are trained to recognize new pilots on the radio and most are very helpful.

Answer 4

Oh that first time sat on the tarmac with the prop spinning, looking down at your kneeboard, double checking your ATIS details and letter, looking at the yoke and seeing the PTT button waiting, and waiting. Mouth dry, you take a deep breath.........and let it back out again.

Double check details again, deep breath, press the button.



"Leeds tower this is Golf Bravo Echo Uniform Xray at Knightair with information Golf, Request radio check and taxi instructions please".



" Uniform Xray, Leeds tower, repeat your message please".



Mouth is now impossibly dry and appears to be filled with cement powder.



"Leeds Tower, this is GBEUX at Knightair with information Golf. Request radio check and taxi instructions".



" UX, Leeds Tower, reading 5 and that would now be information HOTEL, taxi via Taxiway foxtrot, hold at foxtrot 2".



Red face as instructor smoothly takes over.



" There you go, not bad for a first attempt, next time will be much easier, believe me" says he.



And it was.



Just read from your kneeboard and be ready to jot down the details as they come back. Oh and don't think about it too long, just do it. I have heard some right howlers from professional jet jockeys.



Above all, when in flight, observe the old maxim "Aviate first, then communicate" In other words don't get bogged down listening to what the controller is saying, when coming down long finals in a tricky crosswind, fly the aircraft and ask him to repeat if necessary. The controller is there to assist YOU, not the other way around.

If you are asked to expedite, because there is a 737 on the localiser behind you, don't get bogged down with the workload, simply call going around, and abort the approach, buy some time.

Answer 5

Julie....1st-good to hear someone taking lessons. General aviation is taking a real hit with the fuel prices...no ones flying anymore. I got my ticket at a towered airport (KCDW which was underneath NYC control space !) so I had to do radio work right off the bat. Yeah - intimidating, but you get the hang of it. Just picture yourself as that 'pilot-in-command' that you dream about (even if it's in a Cessna 152), and you'll find the confidence. Here's a website to help you listen to traffic controllers - http://www.liveatc.net/ - try reading back their instructions out loud. Maybe the weirdest part about doing radio work - it's like talking to yourself. You'll get over it. Good luck

Answer 6

dont worry about it so much.. ATC will know that you're a rookie right away and most of them will be patient with you.. if you do or dont say something correctly, ATC will correct you.. but for the most part, you just say to them what they say to you.. and remember, ATC doesnt know what you look like so they cant hunt you down on the street..



i was in the same boat you're in at one point.. the controller at MBS sounded like a mean old jerk.. and i messed up a couple time talkin to him.. but he was always patient.. until i started dating his daughter.. so i just avoided his airspace.. haha

Answer 7

log on to www.atclive.com listen to the controllers and practice your read backs, that's what I did.

Answer 8

well done me julie!



the phonetic alphabet isn't that hard to learn, keep at it and you will be ok;)

Answer 9

Say Again, Please: Guide to Radio Communications

by Bob Gardner

http://www.amazon.com/Say-Again-Please-Guide-Communications/dp/156027428X