Real-Life Communication
Communication skills are quite possibly the single most crucial
aspect of being any kind of aviator. Without the ability to communicate clearly
as you fly, the skies become a very dangerous place. Without communication,
planes would have no idea where they could land safely. Lives could be in
danger.
You've just finished testing the MHK-123 plane for Sky
Blue Technologies. After three hours pushing the limits of the plane, you're
more than ready to call it a day. As the landing strip at the Sky Blue testing
facility comes into view, you begin communications with the control tower:
"Contact approach control 5.3 miles out, over . . ."
Here is the rest
of the communication, from first response to landing:
Tower:
May approach, Tester 4481-F3, over...
You: Hey good buddy,
this is 4481-F3, altitude three-four-one-nine...Yee-ha! Look Ma no hands!
Over...
Tower: Copy on that three-four-one-nine...Tester 4481-F3 now
2.7 miles out at the northeast, clear for landing on strip 4A...repeat, clear
for landing on 4A, over...
You: Gee whiz big man, can't
wait to get into a shower when I get back. Now 1.3 miles out, clear on approach...over...
Tower:
Tester 4481-F3, you are clear...make a straight-in approach at 4A, all clear...over...
You:
This is 4481-F3...will make straight-in approach at 4A...baby's comin'
home! Over and out...
The above communication between
you and the Sky Blue control tower is completely unacceptable.
"Did
you really think that kind of stuff would pass without my knowing?" shrieks
your boss in his office. "I mean, jokes are jokes and they're OK but
there's no place for it during a test flight. Do I make myself perfectly
clear? Get out of here -- you've got work to do!"
Surely you know
where you went wrong in yesterday's communication with the control tower.
Use the above transcript of the communication and identify three things you
said that were inappropriate. Write them down and explain why.