Learning to use radios

[gtpilot]

As a CFI, I find that I can teach well when I can relate to student troubles. Radios are one area where I have a lot of trouble relating - I have been able to make most radio calls from day one without instruction. I have a couple of students now that I am really having trouble teaching how to use the radio. We have written out most scenarios, we have done verbal response exercises and I have prescribed them to sit at the airport and listen to their handheld.

Still, these students often ignore radio calls ('That was our tail number...'-'I know, did I need to talk?'), freeze on the mike or say something completely wrong. I'm not talking about presolo students either. Anyone have a way to teach radios to students who are having trouble picking it up?

 

[Timbuff10]

My PTT button didn't work today and then I was told that I sounded like Darth Vader using the hand mic so it was all up to my student pretty much.

Busy Saturday flight + CFI that can't really talk on the radio = student has to learn it.

He did pretty good too, better than he ever has before actually. Usually I jump in when they freeze but I couldn't do it today so he had to step up and he did. Kinda tells me I need to force them to use the radio more and quit helping them so much.

I was prepared to plug my headset in on his side and use his ptt if it really went south though.

 

[gtpilot]

Busy Saturday flight + CFI that can't really talk on the radio = student has to learn it.

He did pretty good too, better than he ever has before actually. Usually I jump in when they freeze but I couldn't do it today so he had to step up and he did. Kinda tells me I need to force them to use the radio more and quit helping them so much.

I'll ease most of my students in to radios a similar way. It's a progression I help them with until solo and after that, I will not touch the radio unless asked to by my student. I will often translate towerspeak or suggest an appropriately phrased response. For most of my students, this works out well. It's the select few that gnaw at me.



Student on first solo: "Tower, I'd like to make this one a full stop back to the ramp."
Tower: "Negative sir, you must remain in the pattern until your fuel runs out."

 

[Ian_J]

I think written scenarios, call and response, and listening to ATC on the ground is all you can be expected to do! Aside from actual experience, that is. I had a student who needed work on radios, so we jumped into a Piper Cherokee 140 with no PTT on my side. (No brakes either, but I guess the hand brake would have to do in an emergency.) Upon learning he was the sole radio operator, my student freaked a little, but by the end of the flight he was doing much better. Throwing someone in the deep end, so to speak, might be what they need to get passed their problem.

 

[fish314]

I teach that most radio calls follow the same basic pattern:

1. Who you are talking to
2. Who you are
3. Where you are
4. What you want

Also, I teach that when in doubt say it in plain English. I can also recommend the book "Say Again, Please" by Bob Gardner. He's pretty thorough.

 

[gtpilot]

I teach that most radio calls follow the same basic pattern:

1. Who you are talking to
2. Who you are
3. Where you are
4. What you want

Also, I teach that when in doubt say it in plain English. I can also recommend the book "Say Again, Please" by Bob Gardner. He's pretty thorough.

What's funny is I can hear myself saying the exact same thing with a new student earlier today! I'll have to take a look at the book - thanks!

Chinook - I have thrown a few into the fire like that and it usually works, but I have a couple now who simply freeze up if anything new is said by ATC.

 

[Ian_J]

What's funny is I can hear myself saying the exact same thing with a new student earlier today! I'll have to take a look at the book - thanks!

Chinook - I have thrown a few into the fire like that and it usually works, but I have a couple now who simply freeze up if anything new is said by ATC.

Yeah... same here. Don't you love shouting the correct response to them while they have the mike keyed and they are just giving you that "oh god help me" expression?:insane:

 

[gtpilot]

Yeah... same here. Don't you love shouting the correct response to them while they have the mike keyed and they are just giving you that "oh god help me" expression?:insane:

Yeah, I love the sheepish look I get from them after I've had to thump their finger off the PTT.