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Description
In "What ATC Wants From You" (June 2007 IFR) we looked at what ATC wished IFR pilots would do better. One of the controllers made the comment, "It would be easier to write about the 10 things IFR pilots would like ATC to do better." That challenge was too tempting to ignore, so we put the question to you, our gentle readers.
We heard from as many of you in a few days as we normally hear from in a month.
Picking Nits
Let's start with one important clarification. Only two people specifically said that ATC wasn't doing a good job. Most comments include statements like, "All in all, I think the controllers have a tough job to do and they do it very well." Another said, "I find controllers very, very good. Whenever I've heard someone in trouble they always go the extra mile. They are very keen in their ability to detect a pilot having a problem and if the pilot states he is having a problem (the absolute best thing to do), they jump in with both feet and assist."
So by and large you think that air traffic controllers are doing a good job. We must add that we agree.
But there are always things that we'd like them to do better. We don't have the space to cover all of the re sponses, but we thought we'd pick some of the more interesting comments to review. We've also added our thoughts on how to deal with them.
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch
"My guess is that 85 percent of the time ATC misses my report of the current ATIS," said one of our respondents. Another added, "I second your peeve about controllers not listening to my check-in."
Despite this being one of my own gripes, maybe the best recommendation is, "Get a life!" This might be a fair complaint at outlying airports, but in Class B, C, and D airspace you can expect... |
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