Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always
learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard
throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all
of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old,
bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all
of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a
scenario you've never imagined.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner
(pictured right), master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our
readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators,
and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you
may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be
something we might never have considered before, or something that
didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized
it for the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are
always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this
together.
Aero-Tips 01.01.06
It's always good to
have advance information. What ATIS expectations does ATC have
of us? How can we best use ATIS?
What does ATC expect of us?
Controllers expect us to have ATIS information when we make
first contact. They want to know precisely what information
we have, so report using the phonetic identifier-"Wichita Approach,
Cessna 89954 has information Charlie." ATC will advise if
there have been changes since the ATIS recording.
How can we best use ATIS?
On departure: Listen to ATIS before
contacting clearance delivery or ground control. To minimize
the hazard of running engines on the ramp, sitting in the airplane
before environmental systems can make the cabin comfortable for you
and your passengers, and to save a little fuel, you might call the
ATIS on by phone just before entering the airplane-ask the FBO desk
for the local ATIS phone number.
On
arrival: If your first ATC contact will be with the
tower, get ATIS at least 20 miles out. You'll get busy closer
to the airport and you need this information before calling the
tower. If checking in with Approach control, it's good form
to have the ATIS before you are handed off (or make first contact
VFR). Get the ATIS 30 to 40 miles from your
destination. Any further away and information may change
before you get to the airport. Note: if your altitude permits
you may hear ATIS as much as 100 miles out, which gives you even
more time to brief for an instrument approach. I can't tell
you how many times, however, I've set up for one approach only to
have it change in the time it takes me to fly closer to the
airport. So don't spend too much time briefing an approach
before your last 30- to 40-mile check.
Aero-Tip of the Day: Get the ATIS before
making first contact with the ground control, the tower or approach
control.
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