AIM 4-2-9 (page 606 in the ASA book)
12,500 = one two thousand five hundred
"just fine" isn't just fine, be as precise as possible here guys/gals.
The single, most important thought in pilot-controller communications is understanding. It is essential, therefore, that pilots acknowledge each radio communication with ATC by using the appropriate aircraft call sign. Brevity is important, and contacts should be kept as brief as possible, but controllers must know what you want to do before they can properly carry out their control duties. And you, the pilot, must know exactly what the controller wants you to do. Since concise phraseology may not always be adequate, use whatever words are necessary to get your message across.
I understand your point, but on a busy frequency, if you are being clear, concise, and to the point, even if it is "non-standard," the controllers prefer it.
Do you also say "niner," "tree," and "fife? "![]()
"...looking for traffic, we have it in the fishfinder though..."
.......Yeah "we got them on TCAS" is one of my most hated phrases. "fishfinder" makes me want to kill...
I usually say "Amflight yada yada yada IMC." That lets them know that I'm not able to see and avoid.
I would say something like "Ramex 515 is IMC." I think that gets the point across that I am unable to see the traffic.
I don't know about you guys, but I won't miss a chance to say "niner."
Even at home, or on the bus. It's fun!
Niner.
I don't know about you guys, but I won't miss a chance to say "niner."
Even at home, or on the bus. It's fun!
Niner.
I would say something like "Ramex 515 is IMC." I think that gets the point across that I am unable to see the traffic.
So what happens when you're in the clouds and approach says "Traffic two o'clock 3 miles a Cessna?"
Dost thou waste valuable air time explaining why you can't see him because you're in the clouds?
I just say "Roger."![]()
'Negative contanct'?
If that's what you like
I suppose my only real point is that "roger" to me means I heard you but I can't do anything about it, or it's something I didn't really need to know.
There's one controller at my airport that loves to go nuts over little stuff he perceives as wrong, but actually isn't.
When he says "Make straight in for 31L report 3 miles" and at around 3.5 miles I call 3 miles and he says "Actually, you're 3.5 miles"
"Roger"
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This stuff is right out of the book of Who Cares? I've got a sneaking suspicion that guys who are wigging out about the use of "Roger" and "niner" just might be in the wrong line of work.
Keep the little stuff little stuff. It'll make it so much easier to deal with the big stuff.
So what would you folks say about the exchange I had a few days ago?
One of the controllers must have had a stuck mike because I talked to her, got my request approved and she said "he sounds like my ex-boyfriend."
My retort was, "I dunna, are you hot?"
There was dead silence on the frequency for a few seconds, and then someone piped in "yeah, are you?"