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Is Clear for takeoff?
“Clear” in this case simply implies that the area (runway) is clear of other aircraft and/or obstructions and therefore, if you wish to take off, there is nothing in your way. That said, it’s very common in the industry for pilots and controllers to shorten it to “clear for take off”.
What does a pilot do before flight?
Before taking off in any aircraft, pilots have to ensure the aircraft has been released by the maintenance engineers, complete visual inspections of the aircraft, test emergency and safety systems, configure the GPS and instrumentation, check the weather, routing, and weight & balance.
How can I talk to an ATC pilot?
Every ATC instruction has its key words and formats. For example, an ATC facility name and frequency always follow “Contact”—”Contact Hometown Tower on one-two-three-point-four.” And “Fly Heading” is usually followed by a three-digit compass heading—”Fly heading zero-niner-zero.” Takeoff instructions are one exception.
What do you say when a plane is cleared for takeoff?
The expected pilot response is, “ (Callsign) 123, RNAV to MPASS, Runway 26L, Cleared for Takeoff”. Same phraseology you’re given: cleared for takeoff with your callsign, and if applicable, the runway or instructions (“turn left heading 200” for instance) given in the same transmission.
When to complete the before takeoff checklist?
The before-landing checklist works much the same way. It should be completed to “final items” just before you leave cruise altitude, because these items are a distraction if you attempt to execute them and read the checklist while descending or entering the traffic pattern.
What happens if a pilot reads back a clearance incorrectly?
As a short aside, you should know that there is case law which says that even when a pilot reads back a clearance incorrectly, the controller is not legally obligated to listen or correct the pilot. They consider it the pilot responsibility to hear and understand all clearances.
Why do some pilots ignore a written checklist?
Pilots who believe in checklists usually use flow patterns and mental checklists to prepare an airplane for a specific task; they then back up those actions with the appropriate written checklist. If I see a pilot ignore the written checklist, I always ask why. The answer is usually related to aircraft familiarity, inconvenience, or workload.