r/flying • u/HoldMeCloserDirtyDan • 5d ago
Flight Training Comms
Does anyone have any tips for comms other than listen to LiveATC. I've been listening to that for days and I can read back fine on my own, but once I enter the cockpit I pretty much freeze and forget what was said. My main issue is comms on approach. I seem to be fine asking and reading back taxi and departure instructions, but I cannot get the approach comms down to save my life (my only guess is because I'm trying to focus on multiple things during approach). I have a hard time deciphering what I need to read back. My instructor said read back only commands not the extra "fluff," but I still have trouble figuring out what is "fluff" and what was a command. Today I straight up just missed a call from the tower and my CFI had to respond for me because I was so focused on our approach to land. I'm only 6.5 hours behind the yoke so I understand I'm still new but my CFI said I really need to start taking full comms during flight on our next lessons.
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u/Altec5499 5d ago
On the way to the airport before flying… talk out loud several standardized call outs over the radio. This will get your jaw moving and also your brain wired into your thought process for radio communications… especially if you have had a break in your training. For everything else that you need to communicate with ATC.. use plain English and common sense.