Deep Thoughts by Cal Goat

Cal Goat

Prestige Worldwide™
"Caution Wake Turbulence"... I hear this so often on a daily basis that it literally has no meaning to me anymore. At this point, I'll just assume that any airplane I'm following, regardless of size, has the potential to upset my aircraft. I get that ATC is probably operationally obligated to say it, but I'd feel better about the situation if you just told me the aircraft I was following and the distance of separation that you are providing for per the terms of our agreement whilst operating on an instrument flight plan.

In the same sense that ATC needs me to repeat "Will maintain visual separation", can we just nix the wake turbulence advisory and just promise me that you've provided the minimum separation between our airplanes? I feel like that's a more reasonable use of air time on frequency.
 
Nothing more than lawyers interjecting.

"Hey we warned him." As the NTSB and FAA review the tapes.
 
"Caution: Numerous birds on and in the vicinity of Wiley Post Airport. Advise the controller on initial contact you have information _____."

This message brought to you by the Oklahoma City Department of Airports Municipal Counselor 10 years ago who thought it would somehow minimize liability in the event of a bird strike. Perhaps it did, but it didn't do a damn thing for these five guys: http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/GenPDF.aspx?id=DFW08MA076&rpt=fi
 
"Caution: Numerous birds on and in the vicinity of Wiley Post Airport. Advise the controller on initial contact you have information _____."

This message brought to you by the Oklahoma City Department of Airports Municipal Counselor 10 years ago who thought it would somehow minimize liability in the event of a bird strike. Perhaps it did, but it didn't do a damn thing for these five guys: http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/GenPDF.aspx?id=DFW08MA076&rpt=fi

Another great point. I've been flying for 14 years and I'm not really sure how to avoid birds in any practical sense. Almost every time I've seen one whiz past the windshield I find myself waiting to hear if there's a THUD. Not a lot of maneuvering really to be done.

But thanks for the 5 minutes of notams at the end of every ATIS broadcast.
 
Another great point. I've been flying for 14 years and I'm not really sure how to avoid birds in any practical sense. Almost every time I've seen one whiz past the windshield I find myself waiting to hear if there's a THUD. Not a lot of maneuvering really to be done.

But thanks for the 5 minutes of notams at the end of every ATIS broadcast.
Oh, you must be talking about LAX.

(Don't you have a printer now? Quit your complainin'.)

Incidentally, I like this: "WARNING. Runway 25R has been mistaken for Taxiway Bravo at Taxiway Papa due to construction on Taxiway Charlie." I perk up when I hear the ATIS-monster mumble such things.

"Caution Wake Turbulence"... I hear this so often on a daily basis that it literally has no meaning to me anymore. At this point, I'll just assume that any airplane I'm following, regardless of size, has the potential to upset my aircraft. I get that ATC is probably operationally obligated to say it, but I'd feel better about the situation if you just told me the aircraft I was following and the distance of separation that you are providing for per the terms of our agreement whilst operating on an instrument flight plan.

In the same sense that ATC needs me to repeat "Will maintain visual separation", can we just nix the wake turbulence advisory and just promise me that you've provided the minimum separation between our airplanes? I feel like that's a more reasonable use of air time on frequency.
"Behind company CR2, caution wake turbulence"
Y0UJC.png
 
Oh, you must be talking about LAX.

(Don't you have a printer now? Quit your complainin'.)

Incidentally, I like this: "WARNING. Runway 25R has been mistaken for Taxiway Bravo at Taxiway Papa due to construction on Taxiway Charlie." I perk up when I hear the ATIS-monster mumble such things.


"Behind company CR2, caution wake turbulence"
Y0UJC.png

giphy.gif
 
About as annoying as "heavy" drivers checking in with center as "Heavy 123".....
Those guys are nerds. I'm actually a bit lazy, though. I have to consciously remember to say it in the terminal area, since it's not used overseas nearly as often as in the US.
 
In the same sense that ATC needs me to repeat "Will maintain visual separation", can we just nix the wake turbulence advisory and just promise me that you've provided the minimum separation between our airplanes? I feel like that's a more reasonable use of air time on frequency.

We don't need you to repeat it anymore! Progress is being made. (Change was a couple years ago. I'm sure many controllers will still insist.) What we do need is an acknowledgement and a full call sign.
 
We don't need you to repeat it anymore! Progress is being made. (Change was a couple years ago. I'm sure many controllers will still insist.) What we do need is an acknowledgement and a full call sign.
I actually appreciate the heads up when I do get it. I had to figure it out on my own and actually ask ATL Approach last week who were we following. Descending on the arrival at night, I notice some white position lights cutting in front of us in the distance. It looked pretty close, but the TCAS showed it to be further than I thought. That didn't seem right...then all of a sudden we hit it's wake. Turns out we were tailing a DL 763. Thanks for letting me know, Approach!

Oh, and to make life more fun, as we turned final behind said aircraft for the visual approach 26R, we observe the plane executing a go around! Imagine the captain and I praying not to go through the wake on short final since the prevailing winds were from the north.

(*this ends the aviation nerd moment)
 
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