Ask a controller... (in memory of Tony Kelly - tkatc)

[tkatc]

Hey guys...I can't contribute much in the way of RVs (flying or building) but I have been bitten by the RV bug and have been reading the forums a lot.

Anyway, this forum seems to be one area where I can contribute. I am an FAA controller and have my private pilot license. I am not IFR rated so I can't give insight on that so much but I can give you the controller perspective on most issues dealing with air traffic.

Leave any questions you may have here or email me at TKATC@aol.com. No question is a dumb question...I train controllers too so I have seen plenty of misguided thought processes. Even if you just want to know WHY a controller did this or that.

My ATC opinion is NOT an official FAA recognized opinion, so any advice you get from me is ONLY an opinion.

[N941WR]

Good post!

I make it a policy to talk to the controllers even when I'm passing controlled airspace but won't penetrate it. I do this so they know I'm there, know what my intentions are, and can provide traffic advisors. Some of the slower Class Delta controllers seem to be so board they are happy to have someone to talk to.

Besides, you might be asked to buzz the tower some time.

[DCat22]

I love VAF. Glad you are here!

Curious question... I seem to get cleared for a lot of (VFR) things. Typically when I know a request is somewhat annoying, short-notice, or quite optional -- I'll add "if able" to end, to help identify that I'm aware of this, and that it's OK/expected in advance that I might get a "no".

Is that helpful, or appreciated? Or just more extra words...?

Thanks!

[pierre smith]

....and if you're ever through the Augusta, Ga. neighborhood, let's go ride in my -10,

Best,

[tkatc]

DCat...the "if able" at the end of any request is not required. If the controller is busy then it is extra frequency congestion, but I think many of them would like that sort of politeness if they are not too busy. In fact, I think it might actually entice the controller to work a bit harder to accomadate your request.

Pierre, THANKS!!! I see your posts all over the place. You were a huge part of this site a few years back when I was on here and you are still just as active. Kudos!!

As far as the ride in your -10, I might take you up on that. I have the first 2 weeks in August off and I emailed Alex about some transition training. I think him and I would be a good mix because he is a controller as well but if he is busy or booked up I will seek alternate training and I understand you do that sort of thing?

[bkthomps]

i always wondered how I should "appropriately" ask this, but when I take friends and family for joyrides around the atlanta skyline, I remain clear of the bravo airspace by flying under it, but I usually call up approach and get on with them and get a code, just for traffic advisories

What is the appropriate phraseology for this? I've been saying vfr flight following for photography around atlanta- but I wondered if I could just say, "would like traffic advisories while remaining clear of bravo"

my instrument checkride is tomorrow, it's the VFR communications that i've gotten rusty on

[N64GH]

This question might have been asked and I missed it if that is the case my apologies.

It is more of a in route question. First contact with a tower seems clear to me.

My fist contact with ATC ( SoCal usally) I use "Experimental N64gh" (my understanding of the AIM that is the correct procedure). With my next call (after they talk to me) I say "64GH is a RV6 ...". If I do not clarify they usually ask. Then I just use "RV 64GH". My question is when they hand me off to the next guy/gal (flight following for example) do I just say "RV 64GH" (what I usually do) or start with "Experimental" again?

Only had one minor problem when dropping the "Experimental". I was handed off and like I usually do I just used "RV 64GH" with my first call to the next controller. He came back with "O so you are not an Experimental any more?". Hard to tell if he was mad, kidding or what because for the rest of the time I was with him he was real helpful. That was a couple years ago. However after that I sometimes wonder what is correct.

A side note for some reason RV and 64GH do not go together to well. Almost every flight with flight following at some point there is confusion as what the heck I am. At that point I usually go go back to "Experimental 64GH is a RV6". I might have just answered my own question. Any way what do the controller say?

[Mel]

The "EXPERIMENTAL" statement is only required when landing at or departing an airport with an operational control tower. And then only on the initial call-up.
It is NOT required for en-route communications.

[CharlieWaffles]

So taking that one step further, if on IFR or Flight Following and HANDED off to the landing airport, is experimental still needed in the call sign initially since there was a controller hand off?

[DGlaeser]

RV is an official aircraft type designator, so I just use that (no experimental) and have never had a problem, either while IFR or at a controlled airport.