PilotEdge Forums

Hi guys, I need some direction…

Today I flew from KSBP to KCMA IFR. I called SOCAL departure as I was climbing out but did not receive any other calls for the next 70-80 miles. When I was inside of 18 miles from the airport (still at 7,000') I reported my position, thinking perhaps that somebody had "forgotten" about me (it was very busy). The controller admonished me for making an unnecessary position report and taking up valuable air time.

What should I have done instead?… I want to make sure I avoid creating disruptions in the future.

Thanks as always.

Hello,

I was the controller working.

The problem wasn't that you were trying to make sure you were forgotten about but the way you did it.

Simply giving a position report with no context or question doesn't serve any purpose except to create a back and forth conversation. Instead just ask the question "Approach N12345, verify you still want me on this frequency?"

Otherwise you end up with this conversation:

"Approach N12345 18 miles from XXX"

"N12345 roger go ahead"

"Did you still want us on this frequency"

"yes I do"

4 transmissions instead of 2. That was the point I was trying to get across.

Understood, thanks for the heads up...