Day 27 off the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge
Day 27 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge brings an important communication reminder for pilots – phrases that should be avoided over the radio. This topic, previously covered in the 2023 challenge and well-received by the aviation community, is being revisited for new pilots and seasoned aviators alike. As a reminder, the final day of the challenge will be a live event at 8:00PM ET on MzeroA’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
The Phrase to Eliminate: “Any Traffic in the Area, Please Advise”
One commonly misused phrase heard at pilot-controlled airports is: “Any traffic in the area, please advise.” While the intent is good, this phrase can actually create more confusion than clarity. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) recommends against it because when multiple pilots key their microphones at the same time to respond, their transmissions overlap and block each other out – leading to no one hearing anything.
Instead of using this phrase, pilots should continue making standard traffic patterns calls such as crosswind, downwind, base, and final. These calls provide the necessary information without crowding the frequency or encouraging others to break radio discipline.
Other Radio Phrases to Avoid
While “any traffic in the area, please advise” is a well-known problematic phrase, there are others that don’t belong on the airwaves. Examples include humorous or unprofessional transmissions like “Tallyho, got him on the fish finder” or even animal sounds like meowing – yes, it happens, even on 121.5 MHz.
These kinds of transmissions may seem funny or harmless, but they clutter important emergency frequencies and reduce overall radio professionalism. The aviation community is encouraged to maintain clear, concise, and professional communications at all times.
Promotion
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