The Bane of My Existance

I started my flying career in August 1964 at KPWK - Priester Aviation, Palwaukee Airport. I hadn't planned on it. A friend of mine was giving me driving lessons in a new Ford Mustang and we were just passing by....

It wasn't my first time passing KPWK. As a kid my family would regularly drive by the airport and each time I saw Priester's yellow Piper Cubs lined wingtip-to-wingtip, I'd repeat the mantra: someday I was going to fly. "You're going to have to work on your math," my father would say - temporarily deflating the balloon. Years went by. The hunger grew. My math still sucked!

Walked into Priester's flight school office and there was Ester Noffke. I didn't know who she was then, but you could see from the start that this was her space. I told her my story. She just silently stood behind the counter, studying me.

“You didn’t come here to buy apples, did you?” she emphatically stated and questioned at the same time.

Ester didn't even wait for me to answer. She summoned an instructor with the flick of her wrist and the words, “He’s going flying!”

The needle was set, and my addiction to flying began.

Now to the point - ATC Communications - the bane of my existence.

I hate ATC communications!

For most of my flying career, real and simulated, I’ve dreaded picking up the mic. One-on-one conversations? Easy. Talking to groups? Fine. But talking to ATC - to the world, as it feels - is something else entirely.

Flying Magazine’s morning letter had an article today about improving VFR radio skills, and it hit home. So, I thought I’d share it - link.

So, how about you?

Does your stomach flip every time you push the button?

A Simple Remedy

Back on November 13th, in my post "Does Flight Simulation Really Help Pilot Training?", I suggested that simulation can help us improve our airborne communication skills.

How?

By practicing with VATSIM.

It’s a realistic, real-time environment where you can work through ATC calls with actual trained controllers - but without the pressure of being in the cockpit. Make mistakes, learn, improve. All without leaving the ground.  A great starting point: 

VATSIM Beginners Guide | Made by a Controller | Everything you need to know!

More video's like this at The VATSIM Controller

In Short: if ATC makes you anxious, you’re far from alone. But you can get better - and today’s simulation tools make it easier than ever.

Here are two informative Flight Simulation Association FSExpo videos discussing VATSIM.

VATSIM: You’re Never Alone

VATSIM MythDebunkers

Your thoughts?

Kenneth (Ken) Butterly, Founder