ATC in the Cockpit
When pilots find themselves headed for trouble, they often
forget one of the most useful tools in the cockpit: the
push-to-talk button.
That potentially life-saving tool -- and many
others -- are the subjects of a new 8-page AOPA Air Safety
Foundation Safety Advisor, now available online.
The full-color publication outlines ATC services for pilots in
urgent or distress situations and is titled, Say
Intentions...When You Need ATC's Help.
Don't let 'mic fright' precipitate your 'last flight.'
The free Safety Advisor also provides GA pilots advice on how
best to take advantage of those services. It was developed as an
integral part of ASF's newest safety seminar of the same name,
which will be presented in some 70 locations throughout the country
through 2003. The program is offered in cooperation with the FAA's
Aviation Safety Program, and qualifies for the seminar portion of
the FAA's Wings program. (All ASF live safety seminars are open to
all pilots and no admission fee is charged).
They can help. YOU -- fly the plane!
"ATC is one cockpit resource that pilots should not overlook
when they're in a deteriorating situation," said ASF Executive
Director Bruce Landsberg. "A controller can be an essential part of
your team, offering alternatives that may not be obvious. Just
remember that you are the pilot in command, and reject suggestions
that, in your judgment, compromise the safety of the flight. The
other important point is not to wait too long before asking for
help."
Rather die than do paperwork? You could.
Say Intentions...When You Need ATC's Help points out
that many pilots are hesitant to contact ATC, for a variety of
reasons. They may fear paperwork or possible enforcement action,
they may be nervous about talking to controllers, or they may
simply be unaware of what ATC can offer.
The newest ASF Safety Advisor details both the everyday and the
emergency services ATC can provide. It explains the terminology
controllers expect to hear in an urgent or emergency situation, and
how they'll respond to different phrases, such as "immediate,"
"urgent," or "emergency." Say Intentions is filled with
little-known truths about handling in-flight emergencies, including
the revelation that use of the emergency frequency of 121.5, or the
selection of transponder code 7700 may not be your best course of
action.
The new
publication offers real-life examples of ATC helping pilots work
their way out of bad situations. In one case, a controller helped a
VFR pilot who had inadvertently entered instrument meteorological
conditions in mountainous terrain not only avoid flying into a
mountain, but using weather radar data, pilot reports and a nearby
airline crew, located an airport not far away where visual
meteorological conditions allowed the pilot to land.
Copies of Say Intentions...When You Need ATC's Help are
available in either electronic or printed form by visiting the ASF
web site.
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