ATC archive

[Midnight Flyer]

The other day, we had a misunderstanding while on Center. It was one of those days when Center is busy and they like to step you down. Basically, Center said cross abc at FL 210; we heard cross abc at FL 200 (which was 1000 feet lower that what the controller said). We read back 200 and nothing was said, so we assumed that the altitude was correct.
When we were passing 210 for 200, the controller called us and asked our altitude and we said FL 20.7 descending to FL 200.
After that, controller said "I cleared you to descend to FL 210...no big deal, descend to FL 200.

After that everything was business as usual. As we know, the FAA is sneaky and they might just violate you even though you're under the impression that things ended on good terms when you signed off with that controller.
I'm thinking it's in my best interest to complete a nasa report. The pilot I'm flying with is completing one as well.

I've always heard everything on the frequencies is recorded. I'm thinking if I can listen to the tape, I can hear what excatly was said. This is not only for my own curiosity, but for the purpose of writing an accurate nasa report. Is there a website to find atc archives? I've asked around, and this site was recommended: http://www.liveatc.net/archive.php The particular center I was on is not on the archive list. Maybe there's a different website I don't know about.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[soarby007]

You can always call and request a copy. No big deal. You need the times to be pretty exact, and location.

 

[FN FAL]

I thought I remember hearing or reading that controllers can be "off the hook" for not correcting a bad read-back?

 

[MauleSkinner]

Definitely file the NASA reports. Return receipt, and all that stuff. If enough of them come in that indicate controllers maybe need to be responsible for listening to readbacks again, maybe that'll change.

I wouldn't worry too much about the "sneaky FAA". Most controllers are honest people, who make honest mistakes themselves. If there was no loss of separation involved, and they said it was no problem, that's probably where it'll end.

Fly safe!

David

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Don't even waste your time filing out the nasa form. As i controller i can assure you that your off the hook. If you read back FL200 and he didn't correct it.....Its on him now. He wouldn't pursue it, waste of time! We are all only human. Like us controllers don't miss things....fly safe....we cut you all slack if you cut us slack back

MK

 

[Midnight Flyer]

Ok great...thx for the advice...

but do they keep archives of the tapes from different center frequencies available for the public on the internet?

I don't want to have to send off and wait 3 weeks or anything like that. I'm talking about just a simple website or something that they might make the tapes available to pilots for such a situation like this.

The more I think about it, the more I seriously doubt anything like that exists on the internet due to the possible liability.

Anyway, thanks for everyones advice...:beer:

 

[groundpointsix]

www.liveatc.net

Not every facility is on here and what's recorded is only as good as what the guy with the handheld scanner could hear.

 

[PC800]

but do they keep archives of the tapes from different center frequencies available for the public on the internet?

No. And, any formal request for ATC tapes must be made as an FOIA request-- which will take anywhere from a week to a few months, and may cost you whatever the FAA terms "reasonable" fees for the research, copying, transcribing, etc. If you happen to have a good relationship with the ATC facility involved (or if they're just feeling generous), it's sometimes possible to make an informal request and get what you want.

In either case, I wouldn't recommend it unless you think they're going after you anway. On more than one occasion, playing of a tape that wasn't going to be played otherwise resulted in discovery of an error (by pilot or controller) that then required followup action. IOW, you may be opening a Pandora's box by requesting that a staffer listen to the tape.

In your situation, you're best off just filing the NASA form and forgetting about it. Chances you'll hear anything from the FAA about the incident are very slim.