Ask ATC: Why talk to ATC if I don't have to?

In this new episode of "Ask ATC" listen to air traffic controllers' takes on why we as pilots should talk to ATC even when we don’t have to.

[KellySmith]

I'm not a pilot, but I am what you may call an "aviation geek." I thoroughly enjoy this channel and the number of topics and the amount of information provided. I'm glad I came across your channel.

[ChrisMcGinty]

Fantastic. I've heard a lot of private pilots who are (basically) scared to talk to ATC, but, even if you've fouled up a heading or are off on a read-back, be thankful there is an ATCer out there watching out for you - and everyone else. Remember that we all have our off and/or seriously grumpy days. Communicate.

[MikeJamesMedia]

So true! Way back (1970s) when i was a student, I made some of the usual mistakes that students make, and the controllers not only helped, but did it in such a way as to not embarrass me on the radio. This had the effect of making me concentrate more on navigation basics, and increased my respect for what ATC does.

[fivestringslinger]

I said this in a reply to another comment, but for the benefit of others... Just ask your local tower if you can arrange for a tour. My instructor and I did it with ground taxiing back at the conclusion of a lesson and they were happy to accommodate. It was a great experience and I learned a lot. Biggest takeaway was that ATCs are humans too and they make and understand mistakes. Just communicate. They're there to help us as pilots.

[sdasdsadasdasd]

i always like to talk with ATC in non-busy areas, specially in long night cross country flights. Communication helps to alleviate boredom for the pilot and controller and aids in flight safety.

[kingpin]

It's be nice if there was some sort of program (and if there is forgive me I've never heard of it) where GA pilots could meet with off duty controllers and ask them questions, and get comfortable with them. If they have any fears they could go over it with them on the ground where there's no time or load pressure.

[brianwilkins]

We do have a lot in common with controllers....
Pilot makes a mistake and the pilot dies
Controller makes a mistake and the pilot dies

[FlyingShotsman]

The core message of this video is a good one: talk to ATC when you need help, as they're a great resource. They know exactly where you, runways, terrain, obstacles and weather are located, and they're experts at handling aircraft with in-flight emergencies. Don't hesitate to ask for help out of a misplaced fear of FAA enforcement action or worse, simple embarrassment.

However, the second controller's comments about not ratting out pilots for mistakes isn't really accurate. Controllers used to have discretion regarding pilot mistakes, but current FAA policy mandates that they report all possible pilot deviations up their chain of command for further review. See FAA Order JO 7210.632, chapter 3. Quoting: "When the employee providing air traffic services determines that pilot actions affected the safety of operations, the employee *must* report through the MOR [Mandatory Occurrence Report] process and notify the flight crew, workload permitting, in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 2-1-27, Pilot Deviation Notification. [...] The employee reporting the occurrence *must* notify the CIC [Controller in Charge], Operations Supervisor, or Operations Manager, as appropriate, of the circumstances involved so that they may be communicated to the pilot upon contacting the facility. "

If you have an emergency, by all means call ATC and ask for help *immediately, * even if the emergency is your own fault; your life and the lives of your passengers are more important than anything else! That said, if you make a mistake, don't admit it on the radio and don't apologize. Just read back the correct clearance and comply. If you're given a phone number to call, strongly consider whether making that call -- and talking to an ATC supervisor on a recorded line -- is really in your best interest (hint: it isn't). As soon as you can, write down what happened so you don't forget details, then file an ASRS or ASAP report with as much detail and candor as possible. Let the FAA do their own investigation if they want to; you don't need to help them by providing a recording of your own voice admitting that you screwed up.

[munroeje]

I've given up on VFR advisories. I normally check in with Akron, give them my destination...they give me a squak, and then proceed to drop me when leaving their airspace instead of handing me off. Contrary to this video, I think we're a PIA to most controllers. I now file IFR almost every time I leave the area, making them do the job they're getting paid to do. On the rare occasion I am VFR, my ADS-B display offers up a good percentage of the traffic I should be worried about.

[yveaux]

As a CFI I always tell my students to contact ATC to get flight following / flight information service (whatever you call it in your country). The reality is however that in my home country (The Netherlands) due to budget cuts and subsequent manpower shortages ATC actually asks you NOT to call them if you do not have to. I think this is creating dangerous conditions for (especially fresh) pilots as it will discourage them to use ATC in the future to help them as they do not know how. So I fully agree with the people in the video but in reality it does not apply for all ATC services around the world.

[Karrpilot]

I was once told to turn in behind a piper Malibu. I wasn't told if he was off my left wing. So I turned behind what I thought was the piper.

Needless to say I turned in front of the piper.

[Cultural_Supremacist]

I expected this video to be a little more than it was.

[jmullentech]

So here's one for the group. Full disclosure, I'm referring to my sim flights here (XP11 + VATSIM) but I feel like this is readily applicable. Near Norfolk/KORF, ~5mi southwest of the field and just barely underneath/outside their airspace, there's a few helipads at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. They're *extremely* close to the center Class C ring (I'd imagine within a couple hundred yards) and just barely underneath the surrounding shelf. If you approach the pad(s) from the southwest and stay below 1, 200ft then you're considered outside ORF's airspace. But given the close proximity to the airport, and the extremely close proximity to the airspace borders, I always feel the need to let ATC know that I'm VFR and inbound to the hospital. More of a friendly "FYI, I'm operating here but staying low and outside your airspace". That way, they know I'm at least paying attention to the traffic nearby. 99% of the time, they'll give me a flight following w/o any complaint and help keep an eye out until I'm landing assured.

Assuming real world ops; how would you guys handle a situation like that? It's a weird one.

[tracyrreed]

You are not out to turn anyone in yet I've overheard pilots receive the words "Possible pilot deviation, we have a phone number for you..." a few times over the radio so.... Nonetheless, I do always talk to ATC either via filing IFR or getting flight following and I strongly encourage everyone else to also. He's right that they can't help you if you aren't talking to them.

[duncandmcgrath]

It was interesting when I had a former girlfriend working tower at my local .... talk about an authoritative tone change when I make my departure call.

[morganghetti]

I'd much rather you guys be talking to me than flying around squawking 1200. My job is to help you guys. I can't tell you about traffic, weather, and active airspace if we aren't communicating. Also, I and most of the people I work with, aren't out to get you. I'm not going to give a phone number to call unless a supervisor comes over and tells me to do it and I have no choice.

[jimgraber]

Good idea, BUT Don’t get to the point where you can’t even fly without constant -flight following. I sometimes plot out cross countries using pilotage. Keep the nordo skills sharp it’s fun!

[djbred]

Well atc, tell some of your co-workers to be a little more patient and change the way you sound exasperated. A lot of nice ones but dang there are some A-holes in that tower sometimes.

[kristensorensen]

Atc can help but may not know enough to save you. Almost got me killed by a simple bit of confusion. Ask but it is on the pic. CFIA&I

[tomcox]

Since when does the job of a controller include subjective judgement on infractions? Never, that’s when. Being a “nice guy” can lead one to being responsible for future infraction or worse. When an “error” is observed, and controllers are required to send it up the chain...let Flight Standards deal with it. They are not going to hammer someone if it’s not called for.