Flying Pet Peeves

I guess it is bound to happen.  Get a group of people together all doing the same thing and someone is going to do something that you don’t like.  I’m guilty and am probably annoyed way to easily. These are some pet peeves related to flying.

• Asking if there is anyone in the pattern. Listen to your radio – there is no need to ask.  The one exception is when ATC drops you onto CTAF a mile or two out (as in flying an instrument approach into an uncontrolled airport). Of course, we’ve all made the mistake of dialing up the wrong frequency and figuring it out just as we enter the pattern but there is still no reason to start asking question. State your position and if there is a conflict, the other pilot will say something.
• Responding to another pilots position report. A position report is not a request for a conversation. Just listen and understand where that traffic is and what they are doing.  Some folks like to respond to a position report with their own position – there is no need.  Just announce the typical positions and all will be adequately informed.
• Not understanding what an upwind or crosswind entry into the pattern is. It is not called “paralleling the runway to the north to crossover at mid-field to enter a downwind for runway…” nor “downwind to 36 to crossover to a downwind for 18” – it is called upwind. Believe it or not, I’ve heard even longer “descriptions” used.
• Saying “uhm.”  Don’t do it.  Think about what you are going to say before you key the microphone. All this does is serve to notify others that you don’t know where you are nor what you are doing.
• Freaking out when there are a couple of other airplanes in the pattern. I suppose this is simply an experience thing but I’ve seen many pilots really wig out when there are other airplanes. When they do, they usually commit all of the above peeve’s before they announce that they are leaving the area.  If you are a student or “new” pilot, it is perfectly acceptable to announce yourself as a student.  This tells the other pilots in the area to be patient and keep an eye on you. Obviously, this does not relieve you from anything but it does help the others to be more “understanding”.
• Adding a bunch of English words to radio communications.  Position reports are not supposed to be grammatically correct sentences as in: “This is november three five niner niner gulf. I am five miles to the north at seven thousand feet approaching the airport to land on runway three-six. I will enter a left downwind for runway three-six on a forty-five degree entry.”  All that can be said as “November three five niner niner gulf, five north, seven thousand, will enter left downwind three-six.” If it is only you and/or one or two others, this is no big deal. However; put a dozen airplanes on the frequency and this is a real nuisance that approach dangerous under some conditions.

Whew!!  I feel better getting those peeves off my chest!  🙂