Bob Turner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2018
- Messages
- 3,925
Happily, it wasn't me today, although I can think of a couple times I have been embarrassed.
Heard an Aeronca call for taxi this afternoon. His callup indicated a lack of experience, and the controller had to beg repeatedly for a proper readback. He successfully made it to the runup area, and I waved as I rolled by. He looked happy.
He apparently then taxied up to the hold line, blocking everybody (well, one Cessna and a King Air). When he finally got on the tower frequency he was politely asked to do a 180 and return to the runup area. Plenty of room to do that. He couldn't figure out what was required, so he just sat there - he did read back the instruction, but did nothing.
Finally he got out of there. The last contact I heard was tower advising him he was in class Bravo. Ouch!
Lesson: teach simplified readbacks that always include your N-number. If you hear a runway number, read that back! Always!
Do not read back stuff you do not understand. Do not read back "do a 180" if you do not know what a 180 is.
Never, ever block a runway unless you are 100% sure you are #1 for release. Never!
And have a departure plan, including airspace restrictions and places to go if the fan quits.
If students screw up, it is usually the instructors' fault.
All opinion - been doing this for a very long time.
Heard an Aeronca call for taxi this afternoon. His callup indicated a lack of experience, and the controller had to beg repeatedly for a proper readback. He successfully made it to the runup area, and I waved as I rolled by. He looked happy.
He apparently then taxied up to the hold line, blocking everybody (well, one Cessna and a King Air). When he finally got on the tower frequency he was politely asked to do a 180 and return to the runup area. Plenty of room to do that. He couldn't figure out what was required, so he just sat there - he did read back the instruction, but did nothing.
Finally he got out of there. The last contact I heard was tower advising him he was in class Bravo. Ouch!
Lesson: teach simplified readbacks that always include your N-number. If you hear a runway number, read that back! Always!
Do not read back stuff you do not understand. Do not read back "do a 180" if you do not know what a 180 is.
Never, ever block a runway unless you are 100% sure you are #1 for release. Never!
And have a departure plan, including airspace restrictions and places to go if the fan quits.
If students screw up, it is usually the instructors' fault.
All opinion - been doing this for a very long time.