Readback confusion???

Flying_Corporal

Flying_Corporal

New Member
Here is the scenario:

You're being vectorer for an approach. The controller issues you a clearance, but someone else reads it back.

You let it go thinking that it wasn't for you.

The controller doesn't pick it up either.

A few mins later you create a collision hazard by flying close to another aircraft.

Whose fault is it? I happened to be in the air when similar misunderstanding took place between a corporate and an American MD-80 (luckily w/out the collision hazard).

Thanks!
 
[ QUOTE ]
You're being vectorer for an approach. The controller issues you a clearance, but someone else reads it back.

You let it go thinking that it wasn't for you.


[/ QUOTE ]

Its got a lot to do with situational awareness. Listen to other aircraft being vectored, know exactly where you're at on the plate, etc. You should be able to anticipate at what point you'll be cleared. If something doesn't sound right (i.e., you suspect someone read your clearance back), then ask ATC to verify, or ask them when you can expect approach clearance.

In the scenario you gave (which isn't very cut and dried and might have a lot more variables), you could possibly get a violation because the controller gave the clearance to YOU, and you didn't acknowledge/adhere to it. The other aircraft could too, for adhering to a clearance that wasn't given to them. Bottom line is, if the controller and all aircraft involved were using proper phraseology, someone should have caught it.
 
Didn't they just have that big rule change a few years back that made it the pilot's fault, no matter what? I believe that basically, if a controller gives you an incorrect clearance and you don't correct the situation, you're going to be violated when the crap hits the cooler!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Didn't they just have that big rule change a few years back that made it the pilot's fault, no matter what? I believe that basically, if a controller gives you an incorrect clearance and you don't correct the situation, you're going to be violated when the crap hits the cooler!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about violated. But let's forget about the rules. If you hear someone else take your clearance you need to speak up! I have heard other people take other people's clearance and gotten involved. We've got to cover each other's backs.

Big thing to remember. Many times controllers don't hear readbacks. They issue a clearance, hear someone start to respond, then call some controller they need to coordinate something with. Never quite get the readback. It's a bad habit but part of how they handle a heavy workload. So everyone needs to listen up.
 
I would think its everybodys fault to a point. All 3 people did something wrong. The first pilot didnt ask for clarification if they weren't 100% sure, or they weren't paying attention. The other pilot was smoking crack and thought they were talking to them, and the controller didn't catch it probably because they were expecting the right a/c to respond. No one person's fault.
 
[ QUOTE ]
In the scenario you gave (which isn't very cut and dried and might have a lot more variables), ...

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, it doesn't. A couple mins later the controller saw sth wrong and cleared up the confusion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top