Step 4: Improve Your Radio Communication Skills
Radio communication is challenging for a lot of student pilots, as well as a lot of private pilots, especially those who learned at a non-towered airport. You don't want to be limited in where you feel comfortable flying or embarrass yourself on the radio. Developing solid radio communication skills is important.
Here's a tip for initiating radio communication with ATC. I call it the 4 Ws: 1) Who are you talking to, 2) Who are you, 3) Where are you, 4) What do you want.
Example: NorCal Approach, Skyhawk 6525D, Over Lodi at 4,500, flight following to Napa.
When ATC provides you with instructions you want to repeat them back followed by your call sign.
Controller: Skyhawk 6525D, Squawk 0378.
Pilot: Squawk 0378, Skyhawk 6525D.
Speaking of flight following, whenever I fly VFR, I always get flight following and I recommended that you do as well. When flying VFR it is your responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. Flight following does not relieve you of that responsibility, but it helps to have another set of eyes looking out for you.
In the first part of the video course that follows, I provide you with a radio communication tutorial where I share with you tips for professional radio communication. During the flight portion you hear all of the radio communication with ATC as we fly through some of the busiest airspace in the country. This provides you with dozens upon dozens of real-world example of how to communicate on the radio like a professional pilot.
Here's a tip for initiating radio communication with ATC. I call it the 4 Ws: 1) Who are you talking to, 2) Who are you, 3) Where are you, 4) What do you want.
Example: NorCal Approach, Skyhawk 6525D, Over Lodi at 4,500, flight following to Napa.
When ATC provides you with instructions you want to repeat them back followed by your call sign.
Controller: Skyhawk 6525D, Squawk 0378.
Pilot: Squawk 0378, Skyhawk 6525D.
Speaking of flight following, whenever I fly VFR, I always get flight following and I recommended that you do as well. When flying VFR it is your responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. Flight following does not relieve you of that responsibility, but it helps to have another set of eyes looking out for you.
In the first part of the video course that follows, I provide you with a radio communication tutorial where I share with you tips for professional radio communication. During the flight portion you hear all of the radio communication with ATC as we fly through some of the busiest airspace in the country. This provides you with dozens upon dozens of real-world example of how to communicate on the radio like a professional pilot.
