Readback: March 2012

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots frequently encounter difficulties with Air Traffic Control (ATC) during RNAV approaches and ILS vectors, often due to controllers' unfamiliarity with TAA procedures, leading to pilots being kept at altitudes that make timely descent to published minimums challenging.
While some pilots report excellent and responsive service from ATC in certain regions, Flight Service Stations (FSS) are criticized for providing uninsightful and unhelpful weather briefings, lacking professional judgment for critical flight planning.
The article suggests pilots can help educate ATC on RNAV TAA procedures by proactively requesting descents to published altitudes once established within the TAA.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Parkersburg Express from the January 2012 edition reminded how a similar T-type RNAV approach to Tupelo, Miss., gave me troubles when I was cleared to the IF/IAF (ARMRR) as I requested.

The Tupelo approach is in a non-radar environment; I was coming from the southeast, and I was cleared direct ARMRR, maintain 4000 until ARMRR, which is 1900 feet above the published crossing altitude for ARMRR.