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Airline Pilot/Flight Engineer

Real-Life Activities

Real-Life Math -- Solution

As you've seen, the solution includes some technical language from the control tower. Try to get a hold of an air traffic control handbook to decipher the tower's response.

The airwaves open and you speak into the microphone, "Phoenix radio this is Arrow fcrf."

There is a short pause. Then the response breaks the silence, "Arrow fcrf Phoenix radio go ahead."

Now that contact is established you may go ahead with your request: "We are currently 6 miles south of your airport on a vfr flight plan, landing Phoenix requesting your airport advisory."

Again a silence. Then the tower controller clicks on the microphone and says, "crf altimeter is 29.91 wind is 170 at 8 active runway is 16 we have 3 in the circuit report joining will report joining crf."

"Acknowledged, over."

You now understand the conditions at the airport and can proceed to follow the landing plan. By following the structured communication routine, you are able to safely get you and your passenger onto the ground.

"If you're out flying around in the real world, you need a lot of communication skills," says pilot Chris Siderwicz. "Being able to communicate with people on the radio and understanding what's going on is always important."