In order of both priority and sequencing of workload:
1. AVIATE
2. NAVIGATE
3. COMMUNICATE
... and don't go back to re-check a missed navigate or communicate!
Just get on with aviating and do the next applicable navigate or
communicate. This is simply airmanship.
Similarly, there is no point communicating unless you are
communicating WITH somebody. So if there is every reason to believe
you are alone in the local sky, make only the minimum number of radio
transmissions and put the extra effort into lookout.
Apart from the initial position broadcast, the others become a menu
of available calls to make as the situation merits, depending on
workload and situation vis a vis known or suspected potential other traffic.
The content of each broadcast should be the mandatory bit (not
necessarily getting the words exactly as they are in the AIP, but
saying who you are, where you are and what you intend doing next, as
often as is necessary to assist other traffic on frequency and as
little as necessary to avoid either frequency congestion or boring
the pants off those listening but not in potential conflict (e.g.
local soaring 3 or 5 miles away). And most importantly, reply to
someone who might need to know who else is there, NOT to every other
squawk on the radio.
Wombat
PS Michael Shirley's observation in the US is different because all
aircraft there (LGA - New York La Guardia) are under control of the
"moderator" (Approach or Tower controller), so HE directs the
conversations, not every other T, D or H around.
At 14:11 27/03/2006, Peter S wrote:
three busy training airfields at
weekends with trainees doing circuits....... I have just timed my downwind
call at Caboolture and it takes me on average 7 secs to do it. You need to
listen out first and that takes at least a second.
Not only is it an inbound call, you are required to make a crosswind call as
well, so that is 5 calls per flight, plus five calls for the tug as well.
When you are instructing, invariably the student is cramping the circuit
with by the time you have finished the call "turning onto base", you are
starting the call "turning onto final" or even worse not obeying your order
to go in because they are too low on base for comfort...........it all adds
up to not doing the calls except the downwind one because aviating,
especially looking out comes first.
I have had an experienced ex-glider now ultralight instructor telling me as
South Qld. RAPAC Convenor that it is impossible to do all the calls during a
500' circuit in an ultralight for the same reason: no time. He was also at
an airfield on 126.7. Looks like the NT RAPAC area has the same problem.
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