Initial Contact

[Robert]

Hi all,

since my last flight yesterday evening I am wondering if it's not recommended to make an "Introduction call" (at least on the very first contact).

When I contact Tower (or Clearance) for the very first time I've learned to do it like so:

"John Wayne Clearance Delivery (Tower) , N351E, GOOD AFTERNOON". Not until then I would go ahead with my actual request.

Now I was told: "There is no need to do that, you can just call and state your request. NO PRE-CALL"

http://assets.pilotedge.net/recordings/ ... _18011.mp3 (at 3:10)

But how would it be if I would do that? Wouldn't the Controller be "overwhelmed" from a call "out of nowhere" like:
"John Wayne Clearance Delivery , N351E, is type Cessna Cardinal, slant Uniform, with Information B, VFR to Camarillo at 4500 ft, request advisory "

I understand that on a "big" airport the ATC facilities are actually capable to get this right immediately but isn't the GENERAL RULE to make an "Introduction call" ?

Hear you..
Robert

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Hi all,

since my last flight yesterday evening I am wondering if it's not recommended to make an "Introduction call" (at least on the very first contact).

When I contact Tower (or Clearance) for the very first time I've learned to do it like so:

"John Wayne Clearance Delivery (Tower) , N351E, GOOD AFTERNOON". Not until then I would go ahead with my actual request.

Now I was told: "There is no need to do that, you can just call and state your request. NO PRE-CALL"

http://assets.pilotedge.net/recordings/ ... _18011.mp3 (at 3:10)

But how would it be if I would do that? Wouldn't the Controller be "overwhelmed" from a call "out of nowhere" like:
"John Wayne Clearance Delivery , N351E, is type Cessna Cardinal, slant Uniform, with Information B, VFR to Camarillo at 4500 ft, request advisory "

I understand that on a "big" airport the ATC facilities are actually capable to get this right immediately but isn't the GENERAL RULE to make an "Introduction call" ?

Hear you..
Robert

Hi Robert,

In reference to calling Clearance or Ground at most airports (most of the time), the general rule would be to NOT make an introductory call but to immediately state your request at the appropriate time. In fact, you may find in reality that controllers become perturbed or express disapproval of the introductory call (or, maybe that's just the short fuse of us here in the NE!).

The reason why I say "most" twice above is that I feel that it takes experience and common sense to judge the appropriate procedure. If, for example, you are trying to call a control position with a non-standard or lengthy request, and you hear that they are rather busy, you may want to offer them the opportunity to have you "standby." Though I seldom to never make an introductory call to non-radar positions, I always preface my request with one when I speak to a radar controller because I find that they are generally more occupied with a variety of aircraft and are observing a larger area of control.

In terms of your example, that would be fine for us to hear; however, I would suggest omitting the equipment suffix as it is not pertinent to your flight rules and your request. If you're flying VFR through airspace that requires a transponder, and would like radar services, we understand that you will at least have a transponder on board that is capable of squawking altitude. Otherwise, I personally feel that your request is appropriate, succinct, and informative enough for us to understand what you want and need. And, since we're familiar with such requests, our ears are more likely to pick up on the information on the first pass. The only caveat would be if another aircraft on another frequency talks at the same exact time; now listening to that is another skill set in and of itself!

[Ryan B]

I think it's just the short fuse of NE people HAHA!

I don't mind either way.... if I'm busy it might let me catch your callsign and get you a code. Then I can assign it while you describe your intentions. But I'm also ok with pilots saying what they need to say (but not their life story because I've heard that too)

On PE I'd think it would be better to make an initial call, because the ATC is operating many different freqs and they might miss part of your call, but I'm not a controller on this network (but am at a tracon/twr serving a class D)

Agreed mostly with Anthony though - think about what your intent is, and state it and clear and concisely as possible. It's best to say where you are, where you want to go and your altitude. Say your altitude so controllers can verify the secondary radar is working, say your position so we can radar ID you based on position correlation (one of the easiest means of primary radar identification). You don't really need your equipment suffix unless you're getting a popup IFR etc.

[Anthony Santanastaso]

I think it's just the short fuse of NE people HAHA!

HEY - Watchu talkin' about!?

[Robert]

Thanks Anthony and Ryan,

I think I've learned that the general procedure is to "not make an introductory call" although dependant on the respective situation sometimes it can be appropiate.

Here in Germany it is usual (and mandatory) to make an "Introductory Call" so maybe this is Country-specific.

Regards
Robert

[Ryan B]

In my real world experience, you won't be wrong either way. Just be clear and concise that's all

[HRutila]

Gauge how busy the controller is. If the frequency's been dead for 30 minutes the controller is probably not sitting there staring at the radar display. The "cold call"/courtesy call with call sign only gives the controller an opportunity to re-engage and get prepared to handle the long VFR request.

[arsindelve]

I know this is an old topic but I'm going to chime in on this because I got hit with this today - I was asked by John Wayne delivery clearance NOT to just make an initial contact and was shocked and surprised because when requesting a VFR clearance, even if you're concise, it's alot of info to throw at someone on an initial call.

I agree with others who say this must be country specific. I fly in Canada and I was taught to ALWAYS make your initial call with just call sign and wait for them to come back to you before you say anything else. I was told this was in case they needed to contact another aircraft urgently (landing clearance, etc), so in other words, to let them determine when they could afford the time to get back to you.

Anyway, no big deal, I'll just train myself to do it differently on PE than I do in real life.

[tngarner]

At my home airport and talking to the controllers they prefer for you to cold call with just your call sign if VFR and just your call sign and add IFR if you are looking for a clearance. They say that way they can sequence the calls and for example take care of a taxi clearance for a VFR guy while pulling the routing for the IFR guy.

Now reality we get everything from cold call's to pilots skipping ground and asking tower for clearance, Taxi, or reciting "War and Peace". The radio can be quite entertaining most days. Whats funny is the corporate jet and charter guys are as bad as us weekend warriors.

Any way,,,Since they said they like the cold call I do it. Since PE told me they don't want it I don't.