Another SVFR question -

[Lead Sled]

Pilots aren't the only folks who fall into the "non-standard" phraseology traps. Back when I was the east-coast chief pilot for the company that I worked for I was cleared for the approach at one of the airports we frequented. We were in a Lear 35 and from our position, it was appropriate to perform a procedure turn - which we did. Half-way through the turn, the controller asked us what we were doing. He mentioned that regardless of where we were at, they didn't want anyone doing the PT and that we should only perform it if given express clearance to do so. When I got on the ground I called the supervisor and basically reamed him - in a very polite and respectful way. They also has a few other "non-standard" quirks which we discussed at well. At first his defense was that "we don't do things that way around here". My response was - "Well, I'm not from around here". We kissed and made up and they started using standard phraseology.

'Sled

 

[HMR]

Mini- Are you sure he wasn't mad because it was the umpteenth time you'd called the tower this week with questions, i.e. Gallons of paint used to paint runway numbers? Circumference of the tower? Blade height on the airport lawnmower? And other things that you and your roommate discuss.

 

[minitour]

Mini- Are you sure he wasn't mad because it was the umpteenth time you'd called the tower this week with questions, i.e. Gallons of paint used to paint runway numbers? Circumference of the tower? Blade height on the airport lawnmower? And other things that you and your roommate discuss.

har har har

 

[JAFI]

Mini, As was explained to me by a tower QC person, Controllers do not make mistakes, they are called "operational errors". When a controller makes one big enough, they are taken off the line and put back into training untill the "error" is corrected. There was some incentive to stay on line, something about the difference in pay in training and working a position in the tower. Maybe an ATC guy can explain this better than me.


JAFI

 

[minitour]

Mini, As was explained to me by a tower QC person, Controllers do not make mistakes, they are called "operational errors". When a controller makes one big enough, they are taken off the line and put back into training untill the "error" is corrected. There was some incentive to stay on line, something about the difference in pay in training and working a position in the tower. Maybe an ATC guy can explain this better than me.


JAFI

I don't get it...

 

[Vector4fun]

Mini,

It's possible that OUN Tower may not actually be able to automatically approve your SVFR anyway. Depends on how their LOA with OKC Approach is written. In many cases, the overlying Approach Control would have to approve the operation. That would normally be transparent to the pilot however. And OUN Tower may not know of any IFR arrivals more than a few minutes before they get there. Again, I don't know, just depends on their LOA and equipment.

Nevertheless, there's no reason the controller should chew you out for asking a question on the phone. By all means call the Manager and ask him the question, and ask why you got abused. If the crank is just tired of college students, perhaps he ought to find a different facility. Ardmore perhaps?

 

[minitour]

Ardmore perhaps?

Nice guys down there...went down there on a cross country and the engine was a lil rough on final so I wanted to do a runup...made a wrong turn had the controller laughing with me...ah the things we do...

Thanks for the insights guys!

-mini