Communicating in Aviation

President's Squawk: It takes more than volume to know what we do!
 Greetings Pilots: I began instructing students 18 years ago with the intent to build enough flight time to become an airline pilot and meet a few fun people on the way. The years have passed and I have had the privilege to fly for two airlines and meet a diverse group of people that have touched aviation in their own unique way and made it better. Justine Kakembo is one of those individuals that has touched aviation through Illinois Aviation Academy. Her enthusiasm and ability to talk about aviation to anyone via numerous media conduits has impressed and inspired me through the years. I would like to dedicate my February article to her.

Effective communication is often the key to the successful resolution of a task. Corporations will spend millions of dollars to improve their communication methods so intent method and completion standards are clearly understood because inaccurate communication will cost the corporation even more. The aviation industry has done the same by creating standardized terms, symbols and methods found in publications like the FAR/AIM. Considering the general success of aviation on a global scale it would be safe to say that the job is getting done. Much of this success can be attributed to good instructors, aviation publications and interest from the pilot population.

Recently, I had the ability to experience a merger of cultures (Chinese and American) in a flight training environment at Deer Valley Airport (KDVT).  It is amazing to see the number of Chinese students being trained and to experience flight amongst such a bee hive of activity. Effective communication is put to the test every minute there because pilots like me have to incorporate VFR and IFR operations while communicating with the tower that is attempting to communicate with students that speak English "adequately". This means that I had to watch for traffic, communicate and adhere to SD guidelines while providing dual instruction in a turbine powered aircraft. Unfortunately, problems arose when we were instructed by the tower to avoid numerous aircraft.

To avoid traffic, we did not adhere to the SD by making the turn to intercept the PXR 336 radial which caused problems with PHX departure. This then caused PHX to divert larger jet aircraft heading north and "firm" words to be stated. Ultimately, everyone was O.K. because the pilots flew their planes first.

Pilots use charts, clearances, rules and guidelines to fly but there is always a chance for a variation. I learned that a good pilot should do more than just assume that standard procedure will be followed at an airport.Perhaps I should have talked (via phone) to the tower prior to my departure about traffic in the vicinity as this airport could be considered a non-standard with regards to communication and operations. My student suggested that a later departure time could have also helped avoid conflicts. I hope that other pilots consider ideas like this when they encounter a non-standard airport that does not follow standard communication procedures.

Once again, thank you Justine for helping IAA communicate better with its clients.Your assistance has helped our organization reach more pilots than ever before and you helped me ensure that flying can be fun at a flight school.

Sincerely,

Robert Werderich, President
Illinois Aviation Academy, Inc.