Redundant Communications

January 2018 - This suggestion came in from a reader who was concerned about the overuse of certain phrases during communication with other traffic.

Pilots should avoid unnecessary verbiage when communicating. The phrase “conflicting traffic please advise” is “lawyer speak.” Every communication implies that anyone who hears you will reply if they conflict. Restating the obvious is redundant. It’s probably more important to focus on not mumbling your own call sign. You can often hear someone say, “Aircraft who just called” rather than “Oscar Yankee Tango.”

Similarly, it is redundant to say your frequency. If they can hear you they know what frequency you are on.

When talking “how to” at uncontrolled airports when mandatory frequency (MF) exists and there’s no advisory, only two entry methods are allowed (the others are only useable if advisory is available).

Please note, according to RAC 4.5.2(vii): “Aerodromes within an MF area when airport advisory information is not available: Aircraft should approach the traffic circuit from the upwind side. Alternatively, once the pilot has ascertained without any doubt that there will be no conflict with other traffic entering the circuit or traffic established within the circuit, the pilot may join the circuit on the downwind leg.”

Note that there are exceptions such as right-hand circuits and glider operations, so consulting the Canada Flight Supplement is important for unfamiliar airports, MF or not.