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I have your request: is that terse phrase ATC's version of "don't call me, I'll call you"? Not at all, but there may be more going on than you realize.

Article Excerpt
Air traffic controllers are service-oriented folk. Our trade is built around safely and efficiently handling pilot requests. Think about it: Even your flight plan is really a request. And whenever you're on the frequency with one of us, chances are you're asking for something.

That "something" varies, of course. It could mean the clean routing and traffic advisories implied with an IFR flight plan. Or, it may be practice approaches, a lower altitude along a pretty beach, or vectors around that ugly storm are all common requests.

Barring the odd curmudgeonly type, controllers are generally receptive and flexible, but we always have to check for a reason to refuse what you're asking. "I have your request," means the controller needs a moment to do some thinking and, perhaps, behind-the-scenes wrangling to make sure he can deliver.

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Getting It Done

Controllers use different methods to implement and track your requests. Approaches, holds, and other local activities are typically handwritten on a flight progress strip. Altitude and routing amendment requests are always processed electronically.

Center controllers can modify flight plans right at their position. New routes can be "drawn" with their trackballs or entered via keyboards. Specialized keyboard functions allow quick edits to requested altitudes.

Approach and Tower facilities lack that in-scope capability. They rely on a manned Flight Data (FD) position to manually amend and input flight plans into the National Airspace System (NAS) computer.

When you ask an Approach controller for a flight plan change, the controller needs to verbally tell his FD person to make those alterations. This, of course, takes some time.

Before transponders and radar datablocks, ATC relied solely on verbal comms to execute handoffs and pass on flight plan information. These landlines remain in heavy use today, supplementing and backing up the NAS. Every controller...

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