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, 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 01.24.06

Most pilots feel comfort when they hear the words "radar contact." It usually is safer to have an extra set of eyes watching your progress. Radar isn’t perfect, however, and eventually you’ll flight far enough, or descend low enough, that you disappear from the radar screen.

Radar Service Terminated

"Radar service terminated" is a precisely worded statement from Air Traffic Control that tells you you’re no longer being provided radar services. You may or may not have actually "dropped off" the scope -- you may be out of coverage, your transponder may have died, the radar itself may have failed, or you may simply be in a place ATC does not provide radar services -- but you’ll be handled as if you had. You’re now fully responsible for traffic and terrain avoidance in visual conditions, although if you’re IFR your clearance is not canceled and ATC still provides separation services if you’re in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).

"Termination" is automatic without ATC stating such in these situations:

1. You’ve canceled your IFR flight plan and/or VFR traffic advisories ("flight following"). If you’re in Class B or C airspace you do not have the option of canceling at least Flight Following service.
2. Arriving IFR or VFR, ATC hands you off to the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF, at non-towered airports) or the tower.
3. You’ve landed at the primary airport of Class B or C airspace or one of the remaining TRSAs
4. You’ve completed a radar approach.

Aero-tip of the day: Understand what it means to be told "radar service terminated," that it does not cancel a clearance or flight plan, and when radar service may be terminated without notification from ATC.

FMI: Aero-Tips