STOP DOING THESE! Dangerous Habits at Non-Towered Airports

I'm not perfect on the radio (no one is all of the time) but I've been noticing some situations happen time and again that I think are worth addressing... they are a few mistakes in our communications at non-towered airports that can lead to dangerous situations. They are easy to make but also easy to fix, so I think it's worth drawing some attention to them today so we can all try to make the skies a little safer!

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Risky Situations
0:18 - VFR and (Practice) IFR Traffic Together
1:53 - FAA's Guidance on IFR Traffic at Non-Towered Airports
2:45 - Are other people here?
3:19 - Common Mistake to Lose Your Radio
4:14 - Leaving Out KEY Info
5:44 - Something We Often Forget
6:03 - What about towered communications?

Mentioned at the end of the video:

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[Ed-hzum]

Your #1 point about IFR/VFR traffic mix callouts is a very good one. I've been guilty of this myself, so I will thus forth change my callouts to include distance & direction from the airport. Thanks for the tip!

[skylarcaldwell]

I always appreciate the IFR jets that would call when they start their initial decent and said "we're 20 minutes out, will be flying straight in runway 35." And then they'd call again like ten minutes out, then make normal distance calls once they were within about 10 miles. I always found the time thing to be very helpful when I'm beating up the pattern with a student so I can sort of plan a time frame when I need to start thinking about extending downwind for them.

[paulog]

You got it, man. This is real. I lived this situation a few times on both VFR and IFR situations myself. Thanks for your approach on this subject.

[aviatorflighttraining]

All IFR Pilots have been trained to be VFR pilots. Many VFR pilots don’t have any IFR training. Always speak to your audience.

Thank you for that!

[larryfields]

I have been flying for a few decades. I have encountered most of the situations you covered. This is a VERY good reminder! Thanks.

[ehuntley]

Your first point on VFR and IFR traffic flying together is SUCH a great point! As a VFR pilot, I have experienced this confusion a number of times at my primary, non-towered airport. There are a couple instrument approaches on the primary runway and often times I'll hear IFR pilots calling an approach.... and, aside from which runway they're planning on using, I have no clue where they are >_> Like you mentioned, I should take the time to learn the location of primary fixes and waypoints in the area, but I think it would be most helpful if the IFR pilots added some relative location and intention information to their calls as well. We can all take some extra responsibility here and share our airports in a more safe way.
Great video!

[BunnyRaptor]

I know you don't have to, but when the pattern is crowded I like when people advise that they have traffic in sight. When I just enter the downwind I make sure I'm not cutting in front of someone by announcing that I have them in sight, and for people behind me it would be nice to know that they have me in sight so they don't start creeping up on you.

[kdrude]

Dead on with the IFR communications w/ VFR traffic @ non-towered. I've thought to myself "Did that guy just say he was 5 miles from passing over... GrubHub???" I dont know where the heck that is... but luckily I had ADS-B to glance at and I thought to myself "Oh, you're about 15 miles north of the airport inbound on an instrument approach in a jet... got it."

Also, thanks for all the first time buyer videos. You fill a gap of aviation videos on youtube. Your advice helped me become a proud aircraft owner!! Keep up the good work!

[michaelgarrow]

Yes! Excellent post. Strait forward and clear. 🥸😁😎

[gmcjetpilot]

I was most active instructing 30 yrs ago Inst and ME. All good advice and nothing has changed in pet peeves or gripes about COM at uncontrolled airports.

[ChuckWillis]

I so totally agree. These things have bugged me for a long time. And you know what else? Once pilots get the lingo down, they sometimes get the impression that they can show how cool they are, or impress you with their professionality, by rattling off their arrival announcements so fast that you can't understand them. Even if they get all the info, other pilots must be left asking "what did he say?" C'mon, it's not a contest. Slow down and pronounce each syllable as though you hope somebody will hear what you are saying. You're probably talking to some student pilots who are already confused enough.

[romanblevinstv]

Totally agree. I fly out of a towered field but a lot of the local uncontrolled airports I hear plenty of lax radio calls and poor communication. Just make the right calls and tell people where you are, what you’re doing, and that’s it!

[AvtorDan]

Well said. Calm days are the worst of conditions as you highlighted.

[craigsimmons]

ALSO, be sure you're on the right frequency. Had a near miss a while back because the DA was on the wrong channel, heard no traffic so he made a straight in approach as I was on my base. Could have been really bad.

[karmathebrit]

I was expecting this video to be silly/pointing out unnecessary stuff tbh, but this video was great. To a well trained pilot these basic points are common sense, but some pilots weren’t taught these main points and this video is great for educating that.

Thanks for the video! Stay safe :)

[gringoloco]

Be very careful of practice IFR approaches who come in on the OPPOSITE runway. We have a VOR approach where people tend to do the reverse direction. Have to be very careful with those for both pilots.

[jeremybizon]

I completely agree Sir. Great video. I've been flying 20 years and currently fly for the Airlines. While inbound IFR (which we always are) I stress to my crew members to use your recommended verbiage. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[nickalan]

Pilot/air traffic controller here... this is an excellent video!! Great work Charlie.

[buckbuchanan]

You are SPOT on with this video! I fly out of a non-towered Texas field, and radio work is horrendous there. I won't say which airport as feelings are easily hurt these days! :)

[foesfly]

You are a very good teacher and so relatable. I enjoy your subtle and appropriate video edits/effects too.