Flight Two

To hear Flight Two communications, download free real player .

Flight Two introduces communications and flight by instrument reference in addition to a review of the skills featured in Flight One.

Every flight is preceeded by a pre-flight inspection of the airplane. Prior to commencing Flight Two, complete a Pre-flight Inspection. The airplane used for this flight is a Cessna 152.

Prior to engine start turn on the master switch and one radio and tune it to the Automatic Termial Information Service (ATIS).

On this frequency you will hear a recording describing the current weather conditions at your airport (assuming it has a control tower which provides ATIS).

Listen to ATIS using Real audio
"Oakland tower information Victor 0345 zulu . Wind 280 at 10, visibility 10, measured ceiling 3500 broken, , temperature 16, dewpoint 8, , altimeter 29.92 , ILS approaches runways 27 right, 29 in use, advise on initial contact you have information Victor."

The "information" is always presented in the same sequence and you will need to develop your own shorthand to write down what you hear.

Your notes can be any format as long as you consistently use the same format. Something like the following works well.

OAK V 0345Z 280 10K V10 35 BKN 16/8 29.92

This tells us that at Oakland at 0345 universal time coordinated (known by aviators as zulu time).The wind was blowing from 280 degrees magnetic at 10 knots(nautical miles per hour). Visibility was 10 statute miles. The clouds were 3500 feet above ground level (AGL) and the covered 0.6 to 0.9 of the sky. The temperature was 16 degrees Centigrade and the dewpoint was at 8 degrees Centigrade. The barometric pressure at Oakland corrected to be that at sea level was 29.92 inches of mercury. Instrument Landing System approaches for runways 27 right and 29 were available. This recording was called information Victor.

The ATIS recordings are usualy made at 45 minutes past the hour or whenever new weather information is recieved. Each recording has a new code letter. These code letters are pronouced as per the ICAO phonetic alphabet and used in communications to signify that one has all the information contained in that recording.

In order that this airport can be used by aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) a minimum ceiling of 1000 feet and minimum visibility of 3 statute miles is required. A ceiling is defined as a layer of clouds that is reported as broken (covering 0.6 to 0.9 of the sky) or overcast(covering more than 0.9 of the sky).
Hence at the time of the ATIS recording the airport was useable under VFR. The spread between the temperature and dewpoint was greater than 2 degrees hence fog or low cloud formation was unlikely.

The wind information determines the choice of runway for takeoff and landing. One normaly selects the runway most closely aligned with the wind so that takeoffs and landings take place with the airplane pointed into the wind. The speed of the wind is used in takeoff and landing distance calculations and is a significant factor in the go or no go decision making process. If the wind is strong, gusty or not aligned with the runway a no go decision may be appropriate depending on your level of experience/skill and the capability of your airplane.

Set the altimeter to the altimeter setting and it should display the field elevation.

Having made a note of the ATIS turn off the radio and master switch and proceed with the Before Starting Engine Checklist followed by the Starting Engine Checklist.

Next you need to obtain a clearance to taxi.

The following example is written with respect to Metropolitan Oakland International Airport. This airport is associated with class C airspace and the communications sequence that follows is written with class C and local operating procedures in mind. However the basic concepts apply to all airports.

Your initial contact with ground control should state who you are calling, who you are, where you are, what you need, and what information you have. These principles apply most of the time on initial contact with air traffic controllers. In some locations/situations it is preferred that the intial call simply states who you are calling and who you are, to be followed by the full request once you have been acknowledged.

The followingwill be your ground communications at Oakland.(Your transmissions will be shown in bold and ATC will be Italic)

Listen to ground communications using Real audio

"Oakland ground, Cessna 12345 , Cessna 152/uniform, at the old tees, request taxi 33 for departure to San Pablo Bay, with Victor."

Oakland ground is who you are calling, Cessna 12345 is the make and registration number of the airplane you are flying, Cessna 152/uniform indicates the model and special equipment suffix of the airplane you are flying, uniform indicates that you have a transponder with altitude encoding. At the old tees is a description of where you are located on the airfield, request taxi 33 indictes you wish to taxi to runway 33 and for departure to San Pablo Bay means your destination is San Pablo Bay. With Victor indicates that you have listened to ATIS recording Victor.

A likely response from ATC wiill be.

"Cessna 12345, taxi 33, squawk 4231 maintain at or below two thousand feet."

"Cessna 12345, taxiing 33, squawk 4231, at or below two thousand."

From these transmissions it is apparent that you are cleared to taxi to runway 33 and that you should set code 4231 in your transponder (squawk means activate a particular mode orcode or function on the transponder). This will enable ATC to identify your specific aircraft using radar. You have been instructed not to climb above two thousand feet mean sea level (MSL) until advised otherwise.
Now you will taxi to runway 33 using the techniques introduced in Flight One.

Having completed the Before Takeoff Checklist you will taxi up to and hold short of the runway. Now it is time to call the tower. Communications will be as follows.

Listen to tower communications using Real audio

"Oakland tower, Cessna 12345 holding short 33, ready for takeoff."

"Cessna 12345, cleared for takeoff runway 33, after departure follow the Nimitz freeway North East."

" Cleared for takeoff 33, follow the Nimitz, Cessna 12345"

Now you may taxi on to the runway, takeoff and follow the freeway North East bound.

A few seconds after takeoff you can expect the following.

"Cessna 345, radar contact, say altitude."

"Climbing through three hundred feet, Cessna 345."

This means ATC has located you on radar and they wish to verify the altitude information (Mode C) they are receiving. Also note that they have abreviated your call sign to the last three digits or letters. Once a particular ATC specialist has initiated the abreviation you may also abreviate your call sign as long as you are communicating with the same specialist.

The next communication in this example is a handoff to departure control. This is typical of operations in class C airspace but will not generally be the case when deprting class D airspace.

"Cessna 345, contact Bay departure one two seven point zero."

"One two seven point zero, so long, Cessna 345"

This verifies that the frequency to which you are switching. The "so long" is not required but is a good means of informaly verifying with ATC that this will be your last transmission to that particular facility.

If you have two radios select the new frequency in the other radio. This way if you are unable to make contact with departure control you will still have the tower frequency in the other radio and can simply switch back and request assistance in the unlikely event of being unable to make contact with departure.

The next call is a new transmission with respect to the facility being called so it is necessary to introduce oneself using the complete call sign.

Listen to departure control communications using Real audio

"Bay Departure, Cessna 12345, with you two thousand feet."

"Cessna 12345, radar contact, resume own navigation, altitude at your discretion, remain clear of class Bravo airspace."

"Own navigation, clear of class Bravo, Cessna 12345"

This means they have identified you on radar and you no longer have to follow the freeway but can take the route and altitude of your choice as long as you stay clear of class Bravo airspace.

Once you are clear of class C airspace you can expect the following.

"Cessna 12345, radar service terminated, squawk VFR, frequency change approved."

"Squawk one two zero zero, good day. Cessna 12345."

This means ATC is no longer monitoring your progress on radar and wants you to select the generic transponder code used by all VFR aircraft (1200). They are also saying that you are no longer required to monitor their frequency. Your response verifies that you are changing your transponder code and the "good day" is an informal means of indicating that this will be your last transmission to that particular facility.
On reaching the practice area make some clearing turns to check for other traffic and practice turns climbs and descents using the tecniques introduced in flight one.

Flight by Instrument Reference

After a few minutes of you reviewing these techniques your instructor will take control of the airplane and ask you to "go under the hood". This refers to putting on a view limiting device usualy in the form of a plastic hood that restricts your field of vision to just the instrument panel. Hence your control inputs will be made solely on the basis of information obtained by reference to instruments.

The instructor will usually maintain control of the airplane for a few minutes whilst demonstrating various flight attitudes so that you can see how the instruments look when straight and level, turning, climbing and descending. During this period you should start to develop your scan. That is a systematic sequence for observing the instruments that avoids fixating on any one instrument. Having established the desired indications spend a few minutes practicing flying each configuration.
Scan techniques are very important to pilots flying by Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and these pilots spend a considerable ammount of time developing sophisticated techniques. As a student pilot you need to develop sufficient instrument skills to maintain control of the airplane should you inadvertently find yourself in IFR conditions, to avoid becoming disorientated during night flight and to satisfy the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. Your overall aircraft control will also benefit from an enhanced understanding of the instruments.

Hence here are three scan techniques to get you started.

Having completed these maneuvers it will be time to set up for returning to the airport. The first task is to copy the current ATIS recording.

Next you will contact approach control.

Listen to approach control communications using Real audio

"Bay Approach, Cessna 12345."

"Cessna 12345, this is Bay Approach, go ahead"

"Cessna 12345, Cessna 152/Uniform, over Point San Pablo at 3,500. Landing Oakland with Whiskey."

As with previous transmissions you are following the standard format of who are you calling, who are you, where are you, what do you want, and what information do you have. Some ATC specialists like all this information in one transmission, others prefer that you establish contact and then make your request as above.

"Cessna 345, squawk 4321 ident."

"4321, Cessna 345."

After a minute or so ATC will advise that they have established radar contact.

" Cessna 345, radar contact 15 miles North West of Oakland, proceed to the Mormon Temple at 2500, expect right traffic runway two seven right."

"Mormon Temple, 2500, right traffic two seven right, Cessna 345."

You will then proceed to the Mormon Temple at an altitude of 2500 feet. Just before reaching the temple you will be advised to contact the tower.

"Cessna 345, contact Oakland Tower 118.3"

"118.3, so long, Cessna 345"

Your read back verifies the frequency you are switching to and the "so long" is an informal cue to ATC that this will be your last transmission to that particular facility. Now switch to the tower frequency using the other radio.

Listen to tower communications using Real audio

"Oakland Tower, Cessna 12345 with you 2,500"

"Cessna 345, make right traffic runway two seven right."

"Right traffic, two seven right, Cessna 345"

As you were handed off by approach whilst in radar contact Oakland Tower should know the code you are squawking and be aware of your position on radar. Hence your call simply states who you are calling who you are your altitude is stated so they can verify this against the mode C information displayed on the radar. If you were not handed off to the tower you call would have to include your position.

On the basis of these instructions you will enter a right downwind in preparation for landing on runway 27R. At some time before you turn base you can expect to be cleared to land.

"Cessna 345, cleared to land two seven right."

"Cleared to land two seven right Cessna 345"

Having landed and taxied clear of the runway you will be advised to contact ground.

"Cessna 345 contact ground 121.9"

"121.9 Cessna 345"

Then switch to the ground frequency using the other radio.

Listen to ground communications using Real audio

"Oakland ground, Cessna 12345 clear of two seven right at Echo, taxi to Kaiser"

"Cessna 345, taxi to Kaiser"

"Cessna 345"

Your call to ground follows the standard who are you calling, who are you, where are you, what do you want format. The response clears you to taxi to the Kaiser terminal area where you will refuel.

This completes Flight Two.

First Flight online lessons are not a substitute for study of the Pilots Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual for the airplane you intend to fly. It is essential you refer to the Pilots Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual for the airplane you intend to fly for the procedures and checklists that currently apply to your airplane.

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