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Unpleasant Surprises

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots must provide complete and accurate information to Air Traffic Control (ATC) to prevent surprises, ensure safety, and maintain efficient operations.
  • Proactively communicate any non-standard aircraft performance limitations (e.g., speed restrictions) or atypical operational intentions (e.g., touch-and-go versus full stop).
  • Use clear radio phraseology during check-ins, stating ATIS, current requests, and how the flight segment will terminate, and correct any misunderstandings to help ATC plan effectively.
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When I was learning to fly, my instructor would say, “A good flight comes from good information.”

Surprises in the cockpit aren’t generally good things. To avoid them, you absorb data, whether it’s a preflight
weather brief, the information on the ATIS, or what your instruments are telling you. You take these disparate pieces and assemble them into what you hope will be a predictable, successful flight.

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