Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner (pictured right), master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 01.01.06

It's always good to have advance information. What ATIS expectations does ATC have of us?  How can we best use ATIS?

What does ATC expect of us?

Controllers expect us to have ATIS information when we make first contact.  They want to know precisely what information we have, so report using the phonetic identifier-"Wichita Approach, Cessna 89954 has information Charlie."  ATC will advise if there have been changes since the ATIS recording.

How can we best use ATIS?

On departure:  Listen to ATIS before contacting clearance delivery or ground control.  To minimize the hazard of running engines on the ramp, sitting in the airplane before environmental systems can make the cabin comfortable for you and your passengers, and to save a little fuel, you might call the ATIS on by phone just before entering the airplane-ask the FBO desk for the local ATIS phone number.

On arrival:  If your first ATC contact will be with the tower, get ATIS at least 20 miles out.  You'll get busy closer to the airport and you need this information before calling the tower.  If checking in with Approach control, it's good form to have the ATIS before you are handed off (or make first contact VFR).  Get the ATIS 30 to 40 miles from your destination.  Any further away and information may change before you get to the airport.  Note: if your altitude permits you may hear ATIS as much as 100 miles out, which gives you even more time to brief for an instrument approach.  I can't tell you how many times, however, I've set up for one approach only to have it change in the time it takes me to fly closer to the airport.  So don't spend too much time briefing an approach before your last 30- to 40-mile check.   

Aero-Tip of the Day:  Get the ATIS before making first contact with the ground control, the tower or approach control.

FMI: Aero-Tips