The most critical factor in learning to fly is how well you and your flight instructor communicate. Find the instructor that fits you and your costs will be lower.

Learning to Talk on the Radio

One of the hardest points for almost every student and many pilots is learning to talk to Air Traffic Control (ATC). This section will give you some hints to make this job easier.

First is to learn to read the weather in the abbreviated format. The Weather is given in the same format as the ATIS or Airport Traffic Information Service utilized at most airports with a control tower. It is in the format of airport identifier, time, wind direction and speed, visibility in statute miles, sky condition such as amount and type of clouds, temp, dew pt, altimeter setting, and information about the airport. At North Las Vegas the identifier is VGT. If you look to the left and make sure that the check mark in the plain language box is not checked you will see this format.

I encourage my students to learn to copy down exactly what is said in the ATIS at VGT. You can listen to the ATIS at 702-631-7125. It is in operation when the tower is open.

The ATIS is given a letter each time it is issued. When a new one is issued it gets a new letter. You will tell the controller that you have information "letter". The ATIS may look like this:

This is North Las Vegas Information "Mike", time 1453Z, wind 330 at 14 gust 25, temp 7, dewpoint -6, altimeter 29.80 visual approach 30L, landing and departing runway 30L, runway 30R and runway 25. Clearance delivery available on ground control. Notice to airman runway 30R and 12 L PAPI's are out of service, Hazardous weather available on HiWas,Flight Watch, Flight Service frequencies, Yellow Flashing Lights indicate you are approaching an active runway, ATC clearance is required, Simultaneous approaches are being conducted to parallel and crossing runways, read back all runway assignments and hold short instructions. Advise on initial contact you have received "Mike".

I would copy this down in the following way:

While there are several ways to learn communication, one of the best is to get copies of the current sectional and IFR enroute charts for your area. Then go to liveatc.net and click on the area near you. You can listen to the aircraft and ATC to learn to hear the language. As you look on the charts you will soon be able to see where the traffic is being routed. With practice you will also be able to reply just as the airline captains do. Here is the link to liveatc.net with Las Vegas Approach.

Here is the aviation alphabet.