Talking to Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Posted by Jeffrey on August 11th, 2009
The other day I was flying into Los Angeles’ LAX Airport. As we were arriving, I looked down at my Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and was amazed at all the airplanes that were showing up on my screen. I was further amazed that as I scanned out my windshield at the airspace around me that there wasn’t one airplane that I could find. Scary thought!
Then, just as if the controller knew what I was thinking, he said, “SkyWest 6312, Traffic 12 o’clock, Type and Altitude Unknown.” I looked for the airplane but couldn’t find it. My reply, “Negative Contact.”
This got me thinking.
In crazy airspace, like that in the Los Angeles Class B airspace, why wouldn’t an aircraft use ATC? After all, ATC is there to provide a service and that service is to help pilots stay clear of each other.
Personally, as a pilot for a commercial airline in a regional jet, it makes my life easier, it makes life easier for ATC, and it makes life easier, and safer, for the pilot in the other airplane, too.
So why wouldn’t a pilot want to participate?
First of all, I think that technology is giving pilots a false sense of security. The use of global positioning systems (GPS) like Garmin GPSMAP 496 (Americas) and collision avoidance systems like the Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance System – PCAS MRXA-A are keeping eyes inside the cockpit and not outside looking. I hear pilots saying all the time, ”Yeah, we have them on TCAS,” or “We have them on the fish finder.” It is easy to find comfort in these tools.
Second, ATC can be difficult to work with…sometimes too. In and around the Class B airspace of Los Angeles, depending on the time of day and the weather conditions, ATC can be swamped with aircraft and may not have time for general aviation (GA) airplanes or VFR traffic. Furthermore, radio communications can be rapid-fire and if you are at all intimidated by talking on the radio, you may just think, “Oh, what the heck! I’m VFR and below the Class B airspace. I don’t need to talk to ATC.” I know how you feel, I’ve been THERE before. But, believe me, this is when you really need to be talking to ATC.
The other day, I had to take evasive action because a Cessna Citation was VFR at 9,500 feet and flew right across our path as we were descending. Legally, he could do that, but it was a bit unsettling for us.
I think what a lot of pilots don’t realize though is that the closure rate between two jets or a jet and a general aviation (GA) airplane can be quite significant to the point that the reaction rate on either pilot’s side can be cut to seconds. And when you are moving that fast, rarely is there enough time to correct and make adjustments.
That is why it is so important to be in contact with ATC in high-density, Class B and Class C environments. It removes the guesswork involved.
So here are a few things to consider when flying into busy airspace:
- Look outside often
- Use your GPS and TCAS when you have them but don’t become completely reliant on them
- Scan in sectors, 10° at a time, pausing in each sector to look for aircraft
- Ask ATC if you are in doubt about the position of an aircraft or you would like an update on its position
- Limit conversation when entering a high-density airport and focus on flying
- Be ready to turn off the autopilot and hand fly the airplane if necessary.
Well, I hope that helps. It’s a topic that is worth being repeated every so often just to keep in fresh in our minds.
To Your Flying Success…
Jeffrey
P.S. To learn more about how ATC and the Weather Services work to help you be a better, safer pilot, check out ATC & Weather: Mastering the Systems.
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