FROM THE TOWER

APRIL, 2006

BY: Stacey Y. Nichols, Air Traffic and Tower Manager

COMMMUNICATION HINTS, SUGGESTIONS & INFORMATION

As most of you are probably already aware as controllers, safety is our number one priority. Communication between pilot and controller is also extremely important in order for things to run smoothly. The following are just a few tips to help educate the flying public so we can all be on the same page so to speak. Listen before you transmit. Two or more people transmitting at the same time make it almost impossible to understand. Also, use common sense and courtesy. If the controller has just issued instructions to an aircraft and it is obvious that the instructions require some kind of response, let the other aircraft respond before you jump in. On initial call to the tower, tell us everything we need to know instead of just giving us your call sign. This necessitates an added transmission that would otherwise be eliminated. This is what we need from you initially in order to know what instructions to issue: A) Who you are (Aircraft ID), B) Where you are, C) What you want - for departures: your direction of flight or if you want to remain in the pattern, etc., for arrivals: how you wish to terminate whether it be a full stop or touch and go’s, for practice approaches: how you wish to terminate the approach and D) Required supplemental information, i.e. the current ATIS.

When calling inbound, it is a PILOT DEVIATION to enter the Class Delta surface area without getting approval from the tower. If the controller acknowledges you and says, “Standby” you are authorized to continue inbound. However, do so with caution. Acknowledge all transmissions from the tower. Without an acknowledgement, we don’t know if you received and understood your instructions. This does not mean that we expect you to read back every word verbatim. We just need to know that you hear and Will Comply (this is where "wilco" comes in real handy). When given taxi instructions to a runway, you MUST confirm the runway assignment. You are also required to read back any hold instructions issued. When in the traffic pattern, do not turn down your radio volume. We may need to contact you, at any time. Always ensure that you have a complete understanding of any instructions issued. If unsure or unfamiliar, ask for clarification. NEVER ASSUME. Listen carefully to what the controller says. Often times we give little hints such as "the aircraft you’re following is a full stop". Knowing this well in advance gives the pilot time to make any necessary adjustments.

Always remember that if you are given specific instructions and you do not comply this is also considered a PILOT DEVIATION. If unable to comply with a controller’s instructions, let him/her know, so they can issue alternate instructions. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand”, or “I don’t know where that is”, or “I am a student pilot”, etc. Such phrases alert the controller that perhaps they need to speak slower or take a little more care in their instructions. Make accurate position reports on initial calls. If you are unfamiliar with a reporting point, advise the controller. Also, if you are unable to make a report over the point requested, due to frequency congestion or some other reason, tell us where you really are, i.e., you were instructed to report a two mile base, but by the time you could get a word in, you were turning final, say that you are turning final. If you are issued traffic, respond by saying, “In sight” or “Looking”. If you are instructed to follow another aircraft and you don’t see the traffic, within reasonable time, advise the controller. He/she is probably basing their sequence and separation on your having the traffic in sight. If for any reason you have questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call the tower. We always encourage the users to visit the facility, so come by and see us some time, just give us a call first.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT FLIGHT! – Chandler Tower Staff