Helicopter Flight Information
|
Helicopter Flight Information |
|
|
Air Traffic ControllersOverall, these guys are the best of the FAA and a pleasure to work with most of the time. They are, for the most part, a shining example of what the FAA should be. There is of course that rare controller who thinks he is Gods gift to aviation and he will be sure to let you know that. A couple of years ago, I was inbound to a hospital in Chattanooga, TN; I had called CHA approach, but didn't get an answer. Being congested on time as we usually are, I also had to call our dispatch center as well as the hospital communications center. I quickly switched frequencies and made a call to the hospital, then switched back to CHA approach. The controller had called me back, and became upset when I didn't answer soon enough. When I did, over the radio, he gave me a very rude lecture on aviation communications. I should have made a complaint, but I didn't. This is not the norm however; controllers are usually very friendly, and will do just about anything they can to help you. Even if you screw up real bad, usually they still will try to do all they can for you. The Air Police, not...Many rated pilots and students fear going to a controlled airport due to some of the rumors that are spread, and others won't go just because they don't understand the communication process. Most of these pilots view the controllers as the air police. In the vast majority of cases, controllers are very friendly and extremely helpful; especially at the smaller class D airports. Their jobs depend on the traffic count. Controllers are not police of the air. They are there to help you, and without you, they have no job. There are cases where controllers will become short when they are busy and a particular pilot does not use the appropriate phraseology. If you do experience a rude controller or one who is unprofessional, make a complaint; it will be dealt with by management. There is no reason that a controller should be rude. Keep in mind that the controller does not want to hear the life history of your flight. He or she wants to know three (3) simple things; who you are, where you are, and what you want to do. No extra words; short and to the point; "Gainesville tower, helicopter seven one niner four sierra, ten miles northeast with golf, inbound three stop and goes." What Controlled Airports should you go to?Class D airports are the least busy of all of the controlled airports. Obviously, that is why they are class D airports instead of class C or B. There are some that are getting busier and busier, while others just barely have enough traffic to justify the towers. The towers at these less busy class D airports need your traffic to keep their count up to maintain the tower. It is better for less experienced pilots to visit Class D airports and become thoroughly familiar with them before visiting a Class C, or even more seriously, a class B airport. Class B airports should be avoided until good knowledge of proper operations is obtained. The bottom line here is that you should visit a controlled airport (class D) on occasion, and become familiar with the controlled airport environment. For more information on the communication process, click here.
|
Send email to
rb@helicopterflight.net with
questions or comments about this web site.
|