I Could Never be a Pilot: I like watching all sorts of airplane videos on YouTube. One thing I've learned from them is that I could never be a pilot. "Trnlfthedg325andclmto250." Pilots...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like watching all sorts of airplane videos on YouTube. One thing I've learned from them is that I could never be a pilot.

"Trnlfthedg325andclmto250."

Pilots and controllers talk too fast. I think pilot/controller conversations are the most important in the world, yet they talk as fast as they can and clip some words. Okay, maybe the controllers are busy, and they talk fast to keep up with all the pilots. If I didn't watch with closed cations turned on, I wouldn't have any idea what they ere talking about.

All international conversations are conducted in English, and foreign pilots have crashed because of their weak English skills. I'm sure that fast talking doesn't help.

An idea just occurred to me. Pilots and controllers should put on a stage play, speaking as they do on the job. They could get through a two-hour play in fifteen minutes.

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

Ha! - I did have flying lesson some years ago and you're so right - flying the plane was one thing but understanding the conversations with air traffic control is a whole new subject. Fortunately my instructor was able to translate - example "I think the control tower is wondering why you haven't taken off yet" !! PS that was my first and last flying lesson.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

I like watching all sorts of airplane videos on Yo... (show quote)

I used to think the same thing when I used to fly, (soloed on my 17th birthday after 12 hours of lessons). The radio (Mike Fright) it is something you get used to. It becomes quite easy once you become familiar with the jargon and know what to expect. Kind of like a work flow.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

twosummers wrote:

Ha! - I did have flying lesson some years ago and you're so right - flying the plane was one thing but understanding the conversations with air traffic control is a whole new subject. Fortunately my instructor was able to translate - example "I think the control tower is wondering why you haven't taken off yet" !! PS that was my first and last flying lesson.

"I think the control tower is wondering why you haven't taken off yet" Funny!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Every science has its own "language". At any given time ATC (air traffic control) is communicating with as many as 15,000 flights at the same time. Conversations are limited to quick, short words of direct meaning in efforts to mina mise unneeded chatter. We had a Texan in our class in pilot training. Actually, he was the worse kind of Texan, he went to A&M which meant he was an "Aggie", the slowest talkers on the planet. Our instructors realised this very quickly and made concerted efforts to re-train his brain. Southern drawl may sound sweet but not at rush-hour at O'Hare when it interferes with communications involving safety. Think it, say it, shut up and listen. Good ideas to live by in a very busy world.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

jerryc41 wrote:

I like watching all sorts of airplane videos on Yo... (show quote)

Jerry here's a pilot that explains what they are talking about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILop3Kn3JO8

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Jerry, as an old Air Force Instructor pilot I appreciate the morning chuckle. Air communication is not 'Howdy Doody' time and as in each craft there is a jargon of its own. It is not difficult, but is specific.

David, I think I had your Aggie as one of my students. :)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sr71 wrote:

Jerry here's a pilot that explains what they are talking about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILop3Kn3JO8

That's all?! The version I heard was exactly the same, but there was one more request for a speed check - from astronauts orbiting the earth. "We show your speed as 17,150 MPH."

I understand the pilot's jargon. The problem is I can't understand them.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Since first grade, I wanted to be a pilot. Life happens, and I have discovered I should NEVER under any circumstances be allowed at the controls of an aircraft unsupervised!

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

we watch "Aircrash Investigations" in TV..........I will never fly again!

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

jerryc41 wrote:

That's all?! The version I heard was exactly the same, but there was one more request for a speed check - from astronauts orbiting the earth. "We show your speed as 17,150 MPH."

I understand the pilot's jargon. The problem is I can't understand them.

Jerry, wait till you land in Mexico and have them add their pronunciation to the US Jargon.

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Got my certificate way back in 83 while stationed at NAS Chase Field in Beeville TX. Gave it up after shore duty was over. I notice that sectional charts are a lot more crammed with info. now than they were back then. I can only imagine how busy radio traffic must be now days. Cant imagine telling ORD I'm in VFR inbound.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

twosummers wrote:

Ha! - I did have flying lesson some years ago and you're so right - flying the plane was one thing but understanding the conversations with air traffic control is a whole new subject. Fortunately my instructor was able to translate - example "I think the control tower is wondering why you haven't taken off yet" !! PS that was my first and last flying lesson.

That made me laugh out loud.

~Lee

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

It's not as difficult as you think because they pretty much know what the other is going to say and it's done on a daily basis.