Objectives
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Expand on the controlled field experience with a flight to a Class C airport
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Learn about working with approach/departure controllers and frequency changes
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Manage radio communications in a busier operating environment
Session Details
By this point the student has already experienced controlled field operations. Building upon that experience the student will be taken to a Class C airport with an emphasis on how operations and interactions are similar, but with a few significant differences.
Similarities are the requirement to use proper phraseology and radio procedures as well as listening for your communications in the collection of often rapid fire transmissions on frequency. Differences are the use of radar, the use of vectors, and the likely requirement to adhere to altitude restrictions.
Prior to the flight have a discussion about proper call up procedures (i.e. who you are, what you are, where you are, and what you want). Discuss responding to radio calls from controllers, properly flying vectors (heading, not track), the need to honor altitude restrictions, and listening for the magic word "cleared" (as in "cleared to land"), and what it means to "resume own navigation".
Resources/References
Lesson Plans
These are individual lesson plans, keyed to the ACS, which discuss the topics included in this flight lesson. Each of the references below will have further references to additional FAA documents which address the individual topics in depth.