Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
They constantly say Ah in between conversation, is it meant to be like part of communicating with ATC as a rule in the industry?
-
- KPWMSpotter
- Posts: 461
- Joined:
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
It's sort of a learned habit, due to the limitations of the microphones used in aviation headsets.
Most microphones are inactive (squelched) unless activated by the voice of the person speaking. Technology isn't perfect, so often the first syllable is dropped (or worse) before the microphone activates.
A lot of pilots learn to compensate by starting their communications with throwaway words ("aaaand, Tower, 123AB ready for takeoff" or "Wellllll Folks, Welcome Aboard") and doing the same with "ahhs" or "umms" to keep the mic active between sentences or thoughts.
I haven't ever heard of this "technique" being taught to pilots, but hear it often enough and you tend to pick it up.
Most microphones are inactive (squelched) unless activated by the voice of the person speaking. Technology isn't perfect, so often the first syllable is dropped (or worse) before the microphone activates.
A lot of pilots learn to compensate by starting their communications with throwaway words ("aaaand, Tower, 123AB ready for takeoff" or "Wellllll Folks, Welcome Aboard") and doing the same with "ahhs" or "umms" to keep the mic active between sentences or thoughts.
I haven't ever heard of this "technique" being taught to pilots, but hear it often enough and you tend to pick it up.
I reject your reality and substitute my own...
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 1): Most microphones are inactive (squelched) unless activated by the voice of the person speaking. |
Aren't aviation communication mics toggled on and off with a button that you hold to speak and release when youre done?
When wasn't America great?
The thoughts and opinions shared under this username are mine and are not influenced by my employer.
The thoughts and opinions shared under this username are mine and are not influenced by my employer.
-
- KPWMSpotter
- Posts: 461
- Joined:
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting TWA772LR (Reply 2): Aren't aviation communication mics toggled on and off with a button that you hold to speak and release when youre done? |
Yes and no; it depends on the aircraft type and the communication mode selected.
I don't have much experience in jet transports, but in most small aircraft the toggle switch simply isolates the microphone and activates the radio transmitter. The signal from the microphone still passes through the headset (which may or may not have a built-in squelch) and the intercom panel (which typically has a built in squelch), so pressing the button doesn't always mean you're actually transmitting sound.
I reject your reality and substitute my own...
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 1): It's sort of a learned habit, due to the limitations of the microphones used in aviation headsets. Most microphones are inactive (squelched) unless activated by the voice of the person speaking. Technology isn't perfect, so often the first syllable is dropped (or worse) before the microphone activates. A lot of pilots learn to compensate by starting their communications with throwaway words ("aaaand, Tower, 123AB ready for takeoff" or "Wellllll Folks, Welcome Aboard") and doing the same with "ahhs" or "umms" to keep the mic active between sentences or thoughts. I haven't ever heard of this "technique" being taught to pilots, but hear it often enough and you tend to pick it up. |
That's more the case for intercom systems in most aircraft. Anytime you want to transmit outside it's a toggle switch. Personally I think it's just a bad habit that people get into....
-
- jetblueguy22
- Posts: 3507
- Joined:
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
I do it because sometimes I have a thought that I want/need to convey to ATC but I need to process it into words. I know it sounds silly. But you don't want ATC to think you are finished with your transmission and then start their response prior to you unclicking the mic. It just ends up with them repeating their transmission.
Pat
Pat
Look at sweatpants guy. This is a 90 million dollar aircraft, not a Tallahassee strip club
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting jetblueguy22 (Reply 5): I do it because sometimes I have a thought that I want/need to convey to ATC but I need to process it into words. I know it sounds silly. But you don't want ATC to think you are finished with your transmission and then start their response prior to you unclicking the mic. It just ends up with them repeating their transmission. |
No just think it sounds cool "Annnndddd......Grand Forks tower,Siooouuuuxxxxx 69 is ready to go with Whiskey"
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, an
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 1): It's sort of a learned habit, due to the limitations of the microphones used in aviation headsets. |
Learned habit maybe, but I disagree with your mic theory. It's been going on since the days of inverter noise filled corbon hand mics. (call it 50 years for argument sake) I kind of liked the 400hz whine, ut all of the "ah" / "and ahh" got old when we were busy.
It's poor training and/or poor technique. I taught the student (in ATC and as a CFI) to think before keying, so as not waste the listeners time, or instill any doubt in the listener as to your competence or intentions. Airtime is a finite resource. Start wasting it around the Northeast Corridor, ORD, DFW, or SoCal and see what it gets you.
"Ah", "And ahhh", lowering your voice to Barry White Mode to say "heavy", or adding un-necessary zoomie verbiage may indicate you need a bigger wrist watch.
I don't understand everything I don't know about this.
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting SPREE34 (Reply 7): It's poor training and/or poor technique. I taught the student (in ATC and as a CFI) to think before keying, so as not waste the listeners time, or instill any doubt in the listener as to your competence or intentions. |
Quite agree, Spree. I have been taught since I was a student pilot in the USAF to think first, key the mic second, and to avoid any unnecessary words, particularly on initial contact. I have now taught good radio discipline for a couple of decades and continue to do so, especially when doing check airman duties. It's one thing to get tongue tied with a complex clearance, it's something completely different to start every call with a monosyllable that means nothing.
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
I have to say I found that I developed a bad habit when working my flows that it would be a sequence in my head.
It would be a flow of checklist items with "and" in between. More of a measure to make sure I paused and verified each item. So when I transferred over to the radio to talk the "and" started my communication but was a flow from the previous items. It wasn't elongated, it was just there as a place holder. It took forever to break that habit.
It would be a flow of checklist items with "and" in between. More of a measure to make sure I paused and verified each item. So when I transferred over to the radio to talk the "and" started my communication but was a flow from the previous items. It wasn't elongated, it was just there as a place holder. It took forever to break that habit.
Look ma' no hands!
-
- deltaguy767
- Posts: 682
- Joined:
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
| Quoting SPREE34 (Reply 7): It's poor training and/or poor technique. I taught the student (in ATC and as a CFI) to think before keying, so as not waste the listeners time, or instill any doubt in the listener as to your competence or intentions. Airtime is a finite resource. Start wasting it around the Northeast Corridor, ORD, DFW, or SoCal and see what it gets you. |
Agreed, as a regular GA user in NY TRACON world, those guys and gals do not tolerate dead or inefficient use of airtime. As it is they are tougher on 'Cessna,' 'Piper' etc. callsigns anyway so proficient and crisp ATC verbiage is a must and any bad habits should be cleared pretty quickly operating in busy airspace with any regularity.
I think in general it applies to folks using 'filler' words in presentations or general conversation. We all probably know people who are routine 'um' and 'err' users, same idea applies to pilots communicating to ATC.
| Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 1): "Wellllll Folks, Welcome Aboard") |
When pilots give the 'welcome aboard' speech and the like, I think the gaps can sometimes be attributed to them conducting multiple flights a day to a myriad of cities etc. so I am sure the flight details can sometimes blend together hence the need for more 'filler' words and mental gaps.
A Good Landing is one you walk away from! Any comments made on this board are my own and do not reflect the opinions or actions of my employer.
RE: Why Do Pilots Do This When Talking To ATC?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0anaCNDvGo
A Grumpy German Is A Sauerkraut
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests