- Joined
- Jul 17, 2019
- Messages
- 1,985
- Location
- Chicago suburbs
- Display Name
Display name:
The Little Arrow That Could
About once a week I'll hear someone contact my tower (class D) with a radio call like this:
[PART 1]
"Pilot: DuPage Tower, RV 123AB"
"Tower: RV 123AB, DuPage Tower"
<Crickets for 5+ seconds>
[PART 2]
After long, awkward silence on the channel...
"Tower: RV 123AB, DuPage Tower, say request"
"Pilot: Oh, uhh, I'd like to fly through your airspace"
<then they start exchanging details: position/altitude/altimeter setting/etc>
Almost invariably it's someone looking to transit the delta, and technically once you've gotten that transmission back from tower acknowledging you in PART1 of your initial call you're allowed into the delta. But I don't think I've ever had a case in the deltas where I've flown where tower is content with a radio call-up like that. Typically there is a bit of annoyance in their voice when they have to call you back and ask you what you want.
I'm curious if there's any instructors out there who teach people to just make the initial radio call without more information, or pilots making calls like this? Do you ever encounter cases where tower acknowledges you, implicitly clearing you into the airspace, but then doesn't immediately ask for more?
[Specifically curious about class delta interactions. When talking on busy APP/DEP channels I know it can make sense to do a preview call "RV 123AB w/request" and wait for an invitation to say your potentially long-winded flight following/approach request.]
[PART 1]
"Pilot: DuPage Tower, RV 123AB"
"Tower: RV 123AB, DuPage Tower"
<Crickets for 5+ seconds>
[PART 2]
After long, awkward silence on the channel...
"Tower: RV 123AB, DuPage Tower, say request"
"Pilot: Oh, uhh, I'd like to fly through your airspace"
<then they start exchanging details: position/altitude/altimeter setting/etc>
Almost invariably it's someone looking to transit the delta, and technically once you've gotten that transmission back from tower acknowledging you in PART1 of your initial call you're allowed into the delta. But I don't think I've ever had a case in the deltas where I've flown where tower is content with a radio call-up like that. Typically there is a bit of annoyance in their voice when they have to call you back and ask you what you want.
I'm curious if there's any instructors out there who teach people to just make the initial radio call without more information, or pilots making calls like this? Do you ever encounter cases where tower acknowledges you, implicitly clearing you into the airspace, but then doesn't immediately ask for more?
[Specifically curious about class delta interactions. When talking on busy APP/DEP channels I know it can make sense to do a preview call "RV 123AB w/request" and wait for an invitation to say your potentially long-winded flight following/approach request.]