Simviation Forums

has anyone ever been PIC of a piper-cadet or warrior? what is your opinion on this aircraft? Also any tips on talking to ATC..i took ATC courses after ground school and I know what to say and how to talk, but as soon as my hands on that mic button all that can come out of my mouth is "Cherokee niner two one four romeo" and i freeze and i feel like the biggest fool....any hints from any ATC pros to shake that make fright

You probably don't want any advice from an ATC guy.. I've found that the ones with opinions are also the least patient. I'll assume your training at a towered airport (which is GREAT)...

There's one thing I can suggest. Some guys don't like to do it and some instructors will steer you away from it too, but it can"t hurt to try...

We have Ryanair flying in and out of my airport. And just by listening to them you'll learn (or I did)  :)
That's about the only good thing about Ryan...their 737's are kinda like the airport bullies  ;D

I asked them to race me once, and we actually had a good laugh about it  8)

I've got about 130 hours in 2003 Warrior III's and I just love those airplanes. They are so nice and roomy inside, great landing characteristics and just plesant airplanes all around.

As for mic fright... it's just something that you sort of develop with more experience.  I used to be extremely nervous when it comes to ATC as I learned from a non-towered airport.  But the thing that completely MADE me overcome that anxiety was my instrument rating.  

Once you start getting serious with that training you're in constant communication and really keeps you on your toes.  

One thing I do now is just say every transmission to myself immediately before I say it over the radio.  The more I do that, the more I find I can just spit it back out.  Right now I'm at the stage I don't even have to write down my IFR clearances and can spit those back at clearance delivery as fast as they do.  Speaking of clearances, another HUGE help is being able to anticipate what they will say.  That way you can stay at least a few transmissions ahead of them.  (but also watch out for different/unusual requests by ATC)  

Anyway, good luck with it and let us know how things go!

Never flown a warrior myself, though we do have one at the club i wouldnt mind trying out.

Best way to untie that tongue is to practice your radio work while chair-flying. Or in the sim... if you're using ATC in the sim, you don't need a voice program or anything to do this... when you choose your response, say it aloud. Maybe use text only and turn off the robot voices...
I used to also listen on my scanner to RL chatter and assume the role of a flight heard on the frequency, trying to beat them to the punch on their readbacks. It helps.
In general, though, the most important thing in flight is to run the words thru your head before you key the mic... say it aloud, if need be.
And relax... you'd be amazed at the brain-farts i hear on the air, even from airline pilots...
 ::)

And of course, don't forget (on initial callup):
1) who you are
2) position and altitude
3)your intentions
I'm repeating myself and others with that, but it cannot be said too many times... very, very important!

Forgot about the airplane question

Best way to untie that tongue is to practice your radio work while chair-flying.

Good advice. Rehearse longer "standard" radio calls on the ground. The others just come with confidence, practice and experience.

The only other advice is just to take that extra couple of seconds in the air before you press the PTT button to go over what you're going to say on the more complex calls...

Mike fright... I can sympathize

I have all of my maneauvers down, but when it comes to the radio, I'm only good at it when I'm flying around our uncontrolled airport, when the FBO doesn't try to talk to me, or when there's no other air traffic in the area

I understand the communication procedures for controlled airspace, but when I start talking to the controller, I freeze up, and I trip over myself. I "get" it, but the controllers usually give out unfamiliar directions, or instructions that I wasn't expecting, and that's the problem.

I'm also not familiar with pilot-to-pilot communications, and i'm still not sure how to react when other pilots try to talk to me.

What get's me is that everyone always seems to be layed back on the radio, and even make communications in a conversational style. I wish I could be that familiar and comftorable with communications.