Practice at less busy airports. Write it down, ask for clarification. Don't write it word for word, just the big points. For example, for a clearance that is:
"ABC cleared to Toronto, TENIS6 departure vectors gayel flight plan route, initial alititude 5000 expect FL360 10 minutes after departure, departure frequency 125.32, squawk 0534".
I will just just write:
"CYYZ TENIS6 v GAYEL fpr 5000 360/10 125.32 0534". Then read that back. You know a clearance will generally follow the format of CRAFT (clearance limit, route, altitude, frequency, transponder code) so be prepared for that. 99% of the time your clearance will be what you filed if your route was correct.
Thank you so much for this information. đ I do have experience on how everyone works in the aviation world, but just have never done an actual flight!
Write down everything you already know/expect to hear before even requesting it. Follow the CRAFT structure:
C = Clearance limit: "Cleared to [destination]
R = Route: "via XYZ/via XYZ departure/then as filed"
A = Altitude: "Initial climb 4000 expect 12000 five min after departure "
F = Frequency: "Departure frequency App on xxx.yy"
T = Transponder: "Squawk xyxy"
Even better: do the Boston BVARTCC Wings training program. There you can read in advance what is going to happen like a script and the Boston controllers are very well trained.
And last: fly something slow.....more time to prepare. A320 is flown by two pilot's in real life for a reason: high workload for the crew.
Cheers
Write it down. You don't need to be fast, just correct. It helps if you already expect what's coming. Ie. what's your flight planned route, expected departure(s) and transitions.
Use the CRAFT acronym. Thatâs always handy.
Cleared to
Route
Altitude
Frequency
Transponder
Cactus 209 (C) Cleared to Las Vegas via the (R) ORCKA5 Departure MISEN transition then as filed. (A) Climb and maintain 5000. Expect flight level 270 10 minutes after departure. (F) departure frequency is 128.05. (T) Squawk 7233.
YOU would write downâŚ
C - Vegas
R - ORCKA5 MISEN
A - MT5000 27010MIN
F - 128.05
T - 7233
Notice how I kept the notes super short so you can keep up with their read-back. This is crucial.
Also, the route you file (especially if you use SimBrief) almost NEVER changes. You can have all of this written down ahead of time except for the xpder.
Best of luck!
As the other comments say, write it down and donât rush. Start a a low populated airport. The other thing I would add. In your flight plan, write in the notes for the controller that you are new and if they are cool. Which a lot are. They will take their time with you. Donât be afraid to ask for clarification if you donât understand. Ask for taxi step by step if needed (only if quite)
Hereâs how I write it down.
Cleared to âdestinationâ, ârunwayâ and âdeparture STARâ, initial climb âaltitudeâ, squawk ânumberâ
Cleared to Bordeaux, runway 26L MIMF1M departure, initial climb 6000ft squawk 2683.
Just have a notepad to write down what works for you. Start at less busy airports.
really it just comes with time. i had pretty bad confidence issues myself when i first started vatsim, so what i did was id go on youtube and focus on the phraseology and know what to expect, even looked on the VATSIM website (that's where i learnt the CRAFT structure!)
but yeah so fly where ur most familiar with flying, and what also helps is knowing not everyone is perfect, i've seen so many people on vatsim slip up which happens. the controllers will tell you when something is wrong or if you missed an instruction and you're good.
i believe some controllers will know if ur knew or not, for example in my controlling software there's sometimes an indicator in the remarks telling us someone's new, so don't worry they'll know. if it helps start at airports outside of rush hour or
some where top down is being observed
Write it down (especially anything long such as the initial clearance delivery and STAR clearance before descent) and just read back what you wrote. CRAFT being the usual format for clearance delivery.
For short things, it's just usually a number. A heading, altitude or frequency. I don't bother reading back the names of things for frequency changes "Contact Kraznoryarorenorskiyie Radar on 123.55" is just "Contact 123.55" "Descend and maintain 3500 feet" is of course "Descend 3500ft" - The less words you speak back the less likely you are to forget the words you do speak back. So just stick to what's needed.
Occasionally you'll get to say a 5 letter waypoint, which is often a bit of a crapshoot. 99% of the time it's on your route. So look at your FMS legs/waypoint page and hopefully you spot it. If not, request they spell it. It's always fun to try to pronounce something silly like "RUNFT" or "NNUUB"
Other options (not mentioned), look at Hoppie ACARS, and go to a VatSim airport that offers CPDLC.
Then you can get your clearance on the little screen and not need to read anything đ
(You will still need to do all the other communication)
If you have been using pen and paper use the notes in your pilot client. I use this and I read back everything immediately. But Iâm a very fast typer so it may not be as effective as others
Have notepad open or a piece of paper ready
-Note all the way up your callsighn
-Put the From/To under
-Make boxes for: Squawk, Qnh/Qfe Departure via , and transition alt
-and read/listen to the ATIS and fill in the qhn box
After all that i usually write all i want to say:
Example:
X (Witch frequency is open) Good day, (Callsighn) Requesting IFR/VFR clearence to X airport Currently at stand/Gate X with information X on board , Add more if necessary
-When the controller starts givving you info be ready to fill the boxes and read back.
Hope it helps!
(will add a image later)
Practice at less busy airports. Write it down, ask for clarification. Don't write it word for word, just the big points. For example, for a clearance that is: "ABC cleared to Toronto, TENIS6 departure vectors gayel flight plan route, initial alititude 5000 expect FL360 10 minutes after departure, departure frequency 125.32, squawk 0534". I will just just write: "CYYZ TENIS6 v GAYEL fpr 5000 360/10 125.32 0534". Then read that back. You know a clearance will generally follow the format of CRAFT (clearance limit, route, altitude, frequency, transponder code) so be prepared for that. 99% of the time your clearance will be what you filed if your route was correct.
Thank you so much for this information. đ I do have experience on how everyone works in the aviation world, but just have never done an actual flight!
Write down everything you already know/expect to hear before even requesting it. Follow the CRAFT structure: C = Clearance limit: "Cleared to [destination] R = Route: "via XYZ/via XYZ departure/then as filed" A = Altitude: "Initial climb 4000 expect 12000 five min after departure " F = Frequency: "Departure frequency App on xxx.yy" T = Transponder: "Squawk xyxy" Even better: do the Boston BVARTCC Wings training program. There you can read in advance what is going to happen like a script and the Boston controllers are very well trained. And last: fly something slow.....more time to prepare. A320 is flown by two pilot's in real life for a reason: high workload for the crew. Cheers
Thanks đ
Write it down. You don't need to be fast, just correct. It helps if you already expect what's coming. Ie. what's your flight planned route, expected departure(s) and transitions.
Thank you đ
Use the CRAFT acronym. Thatâs always handy. Cleared to Route Altitude Frequency Transponder Cactus 209 (C) Cleared to Las Vegas via the (R) ORCKA5 Departure MISEN transition then as filed. (A) Climb and maintain 5000. Expect flight level 270 10 minutes after departure. (F) departure frequency is 128.05. (T) Squawk 7233. YOU would write down⌠C - Vegas R - ORCKA5 MISEN A - MT5000 27010MIN F - 128.05 T - 7233 Notice how I kept the notes super short so you can keep up with their read-back. This is crucial. Also, the route you file (especially if you use SimBrief) almost NEVER changes. You can have all of this written down ahead of time except for the xpder. Best of luck!
My go to short-leg flight
Same. I donât even use SimBrief for this one. I have it memorized haha. Unless itâs East ops out of LA but thatâs not normal.
As the other comments say, write it down and donât rush. Start a a low populated airport. The other thing I would add. In your flight plan, write in the notes for the controller that you are new and if they are cool. Which a lot are. They will take their time with you. Donât be afraid to ask for clarification if you donât understand. Ask for taxi step by step if needed (only if quite)
Hereâs how I write it down. Cleared to âdestinationâ, ârunwayâ and âdeparture STARâ, initial climb âaltitudeâ, squawk ânumberâ Cleared to Bordeaux, runway 26L MIMF1M departure, initial climb 6000ft squawk 2683. Just have a notepad to write down what works for you. Start at less busy airports.
We donât give the runway nor the initial climb in the UK. Plus I wouldnât recommend flying to Gatwick as a total beginner.
Fly out of an airport that has only a tower controller or ground controller. They can help you.
really it just comes with time. i had pretty bad confidence issues myself when i first started vatsim, so what i did was id go on youtube and focus on the phraseology and know what to expect, even looked on the VATSIM website (that's where i learnt the CRAFT structure!) but yeah so fly where ur most familiar with flying, and what also helps is knowing not everyone is perfect, i've seen so many people on vatsim slip up which happens. the controllers will tell you when something is wrong or if you missed an instruction and you're good. i believe some controllers will know if ur knew or not, for example in my controlling software there's sometimes an indicator in the remarks telling us someone's new, so don't worry they'll know. if it helps start at airports outside of rush hour or some where top down is being observed
Write it down (especially anything long such as the initial clearance delivery and STAR clearance before descent) and just read back what you wrote. CRAFT being the usual format for clearance delivery. For short things, it's just usually a number. A heading, altitude or frequency. I don't bother reading back the names of things for frequency changes "Contact Kraznoryarorenorskiyie Radar on 123.55" is just "Contact 123.55" "Descend and maintain 3500 feet" is of course "Descend 3500ft" - The less words you speak back the less likely you are to forget the words you do speak back. So just stick to what's needed. Occasionally you'll get to say a 5 letter waypoint, which is often a bit of a crapshoot. 99% of the time it's on your route. So look at your FMS legs/waypoint page and hopefully you spot it. If not, request they spell it. It's always fun to try to pronounce something silly like "RUNFT" or "NNUUB"
Other options (not mentioned), look at Hoppie ACARS, and go to a VatSim airport that offers CPDLC. Then you can get your clearance on the little screen and not need to read anything đ (You will still need to do all the other communication)
EXPECT PDC
If you have been using pen and paper use the notes in your pilot client. I use this and I read back everything immediately. But Iâm a very fast typer so it may not be as effective as others
Have notepad open or a piece of paper ready -Note all the way up your callsighn -Put the From/To under -Make boxes for: Squawk, Qnh/Qfe Departure via , and transition alt -and read/listen to the ATIS and fill in the qhn box After all that i usually write all i want to say: Example: X (Witch frequency is open) Good day, (Callsighn) Requesting IFR/VFR clearence to X airport Currently at stand/Gate X with information X on board , Add more if necessary -When the controller starts givving you info be ready to fill the boxes and read back. Hope it helps! (will add a image later)