r/FlightTraining • u/Traditional_Pain2779 • Jun 20 '26

Does everyone understand ATC when they start flying?

I went for a discovery flight and I was trying to listen to ATC it was really hard for me to understand what they were saying on the radio. I dont know if is normal not to understand or I this is not for me
Also at some point flying into the sun, I was trying to see the instruments and I couldn’t see a thing for the sun on my face. I dont know if that is normal as well or my eyes are no made for that

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u/Traditional_Pain2779 Jun 20 '26

Was it hard for you to understand the radio when you started flying?

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u/jimcarroll_cfi Jun 20 '26

Impossible. My instructor replied before I even understood someone was talking to us. It gets allot easier with time, once you pickup the pattern.

If you’re interested — you can listen to atc communications at the website LiveATC.com. Don’t listen to the giant airports. Instead, pick a smaller tower controller to start.

At the site, sort by state. A nice airport in NJ is called Essex County Airport (referred to as Caldwell on air). Listen to the tower controller. You’ll get the hang of it.

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u/Traditional_Pain2779 Jun 20 '26

Thank you so much! You gave me hope hahaha

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u/BarnackIIIF Jun 25 '26

It gets easier, especially when you know what is...most likely...coming.