"Ask ATC" Blog

Hear-back, Read-back

Aviation is an industry that is no stranger to checklists. While some might view the use of checklists as borderline obsessive-compulsive, the truth is that lives depend on air traffic control instructions being understood and complied with. The best check-and-balance system we have in aviation is the read-back.

Thunderstorms and Deviations

Thunderstorms pose a unique challenge to aviation. The biggest risks are turbulence, icing, lightning and hail. While pilots are cautioned to avoid them, managing traffic flows in complex airspace can be a strain on the air traffic controller, and put extra workload on pilots...

7-ways to improve your Aviation English NOW

Where do we go when we want to learn another language?

Cleared for an approach

It is a term that is so broad, that much is left open to confusion if we do not know exactly what we are and are not allowed to do.

The trouble with trends

When training controllers, we often tell our students: you are allowed to make every mistake once...

When safely able

This is a term which, in practicality, should prefix every ATC clearance....

Who is in control?

Who is in control of an IFR flight? The pilot-in-command? Or the air traffic controller?

What your English teacher did not tell you about aviation.

How many languages do you speak? This may be a difficult question to answer as every language has its own regional peculiarities. We may speak several variations of the same language.

Rounding The Corners

RNP is revolutionizing the instrument approach

Great Video of World Air Traffic

And it's only going to get busier...

Has the art of navigation gotten lost?

Is Technology a Crutch?

ATM and Greenhouse Gases

While multi-dimensional climate-change problems such as the aviation sector must face do not lend themselves to silver-bullet solutions, there is progress that can be made.

What You Don't Know May Surprise You

Read your NOTAMs

Managing the Skies

Is there a limit?

Exercising Judgement

The goal of training is to learn from mistakes in a controlled and safe environment so as not to suffer the consequences in an unforgiving reality. New pilots shouldn't be forced to learn that the hard way.

Ice

The winter season can bring a host of challenges to IFR flying, not the least of which is ice...

I Should Have Known Better

What are the key factors that go into making good decisions? Pilot Decision Making is one of the chief training areas accident investigators focus on when examining “what went wrong?”

Practice makes perfect

There is no shortage of or audio-books and DVD's promising to teach the "secrets of success."

VFR Departure

Many a pilot has sat for a prolonged delay on the ground, waiting for an IFR clearance...

ILS Approaches

At almost every major aerodrome in almost any developed nation, the primary instrument approach will be an ILS or instrument landing system.

Visual Approaches

As far as efficiency goes, the most expeditious type of approach a pilot can make is the visual...

Class G - Uncontrolled Airspace

Believe it or not, there are still parts of the modern world where one can fly IFR without the benefit of air traffic control services...

Listening Watch

"We have two ears and one mouth and they are to be used in proportion."

Make ATC Work for You

As pilots gain experience however, they learn some of the secrets to making IFR flying more expeditious. The truth is air traffic control is meant to provide a service to pilot, not to place unnecessary restraints on their objectives...

Hold On

There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable with a clearance issued by ATC. If you practice the phraseology, these occasions will be few and far between...

Radar Vectors

Radar vectors are often warmly accepted by pilots as a means to simplify navigation and allow more time to set up for an instrument approach. However, it is important to note the responsibilities of both the pilot and controller while and aircraft is being provided radar navigational assistance...

Stall Speed

What's the stall speed of your aircraft? The idea that an aircraft will stall at a particular speed can sometimes be misleading...

Another Set of Eyes

It is inherent in human nature, especially in pilots it seems, not to want to ask for help...

Sound Like a Professional

Most of us who have been controllers or pilots for awhile can tell the difference between a professional and an amateur over the radio. The professional has a calm, confident sounding tone while the amateur is often broken and unsure if what they are requesting is going to be approved or make any sense....

First Contact

“Where do I begin?” The most difficult words to get out in any language are always the first ones. Once we get started however, the natural flow of conversation takes place and the right words just seem to come more naturally.