Readback - January 2024

Readback – January 2024

IFR Staff

Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Photo: Terry Turner

Key Takeaways:

To access ATC recordings, note the time and call a supervisor later; modern systems are digital and can be retrieved by time, rather than being "marked."
Custom-built home simulators, like those from RealSimGear that mimic an aircraft's actual panel, are more effective for maintaining IFR proficiency than generic FAA-approved simulators, despite the latter providing legal currency.
Maintaining high IFR proficiency, beyond just legal currency, is crucial for safety, pride, and maximizing aircraft utility, preparing pilots for unexpected low-IMC situations they might otherwise try to avoid.

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Save Those Recordings

I watched a YouTube vid the other day where an obviously concerned CFI, after thanking the controller for all their support and all they do, still asked that the controller “Please mark the tapes.” The obviously task saturated and presumably annoyed controller replied with words something like, “Sir, this is the 21st Century. There are no tapes!” this brings up a few questions.

1) In the good old days, did they really “mark” the tapes, maybe with tape and magic marker, or was there a button the controller could push to time-stamp or otherwise save the recording?