CTAF Calls; please help!

[I fLy pLaNeS]

I see this in my Part 91 flying at uncontrolled fields, IFR turbine airplanes don't think the VFR rules apply to them. Right base, straight in, what ever works to get them on the ground in a hurry.

You're right--it's a real bummer. 91.126 is amazingly simple! There was a great article about this in an aviation magazine in August. It highlighted the importance of just following the rules and talking on the CTAF. If we do that, we allow the situation to be predictable increasing situational awareness for all involved. All it takes is one aircraft "going rouge" doing right traffic for example to now throw everyone into a sh*tshow because they now have to adapt. I constantly find that by doing things the right way and with common sense you only add maybe 2 additional minutes to most tasks in the cockpit.

 

[brokeflyer]

if youre in a jet you fly the straight in IFR approach to the runway....regardless of the weather. its safer than trying to mingle the vfr traffic that dont know what their doing anyway.

 

[sleddriver71]

Hey all-
I'm an airline pilot who still flys small-plane GA on occasion (less than I'd like due to cost/schedule), and have a special request to all instructors/student pilots & GA pilots in general...specifically with regard to CTAF communications.

PLEASE begin your calls with your aircraft TYPE. About 90% of the time, when entering a pattern at an uncontrolled field, this is how it goes:

Me: "Cessna Skylane N1234 entering left downwind RWYXX"

Airplane 2: "Cessna N2345 on left downwind RWYXX" (what are you? 172? Citation?)

Airplane 3: "N3456 on left base RWYXX" (now I don't even know your manufacturer. You may as well just say "airplane"..at least takes less time to say)

Folks; ask yourself this; what is the FIRST piece of info that Ground Control/Tower/Approach wants to know when you first make contact? When you are issued a traffic advisory: does the controller say "traffic 11o'clock opposite direction 1000ft above..it's Cessna N1234"? No! He calls it a Cessna Skylane..or Citation..or 421. This is the common sense aspect of the argument.
For those who need a proof source, look in FAR/AIM.

Frankly, if I'm close enough to read your #s while airborne--something has already gone VERY wrong. So just skip the #s and say "Cessna Skyhawk" (or appropriate type).
--Another "CYA" aspect of this practice; if you should accidentally land at an airport after curfew (or do something else you'd rather nobody knew about), would you rather the airport authority or Feds hear "Cessna N1234" on the recorded CTAF, or "Cessna Skyhawk"? Think about it.

Instructors; I specifically aim my plea at you--because you are molding these pilots from their very beginnings in our airspace. You teach them good habits, and they will practice them...

Thanks for your attention....
Rant over

Hey, I did look in the AIM for a "proof source" and you're doing it wrong too. The first thing you say when communicating at a non-towered field is the name of the facility, NOT your aircraft.

 

[BuckMurdock1]

Hey, I did look in the AIM for a "proof source" and you're doing it wrong too. The first thing you say when communicating at a non-towered field is the name of the facility, NOT your aircraft.

I actually do say the proper phrasology & in the correct order. I simply condensed the whole call into the part that pertains to my point. I even addressed this in an earlier post. See:

(i should've written all the words I say on my example..just condensed to the pertinent words to my point)

 

[pilotyip]

if youre in a jet you fly the straight in IFR approach to the runway....regardless of the weather. its safer than trying to mingle the vfr traffic that dont know what their doing anyway.

as opposed to some guy driving a DA-20 who doesn't know what he is doing.