ClearanceDelivery Concentration

[Dr Bob]

As I keep working on my IR I am having some trouble (like others) keeping up with the controller giving the clearance.....it occurred to me that if there were a file here that was a "concentrated" (read: dead air clipped) recording of clearances being delivered, I could practice my copying down the info. Seems simple enough to do....I would do it if I had a clue how, had a sscanner to record, was close enough to the airport, etc.

Anyone else think this is a good idea?

[Jason]

Hey there,

Any of the clearance delivery feeds at the major airports where they're separate from the tower feed would be perfect for this type of practice.  Boston, Kennedy, any of those are great for practicing your clearance copying (short-hand is key).  You could either do it live or use an archived feed that you can back up at your leisure on your computer.

Remember:
Clearance Limit
Route
Altitude (initial and/or final)
Frequency (dep.)
Transponder code

Here's a sample of how I copy my IFR clearances:

ATC: "Cessna five two eight eight tango, Westchester Clearance.  Cleared to the Wings airport via the Westchester 1 departure, radar vectors sparta, victor two fourty nine, solberg, yardley, direct.  Maintain tree thousand, expect eight thousand one zero minutes after departure.  Departure frequency one two six point four, squawk four four two six."
----------------------------
KLOM
WEST1 DP SAX V249 SBJ ARD LOM
3000 / 8000 @ 10
126.4 / 4426

If you think about it in terms of a list of items, it may be easier because you know what to expect to write down.  Let me know if you need any additional assistance.

Regards,

[Vegas Apch]

As much as I hate to admit it, cause I'm a controller, just ask the controller for a "full route." That way they have to read you everything in the clearance, and get a proper readback from you on the entire clearance. They'll typically read it slower, and more methodically than a quick abbreviated clearance that a typical airline recieves.  Your abbreviated clearance is typically going to include:

Callsign: xxxx
Cleared to: destination airport
Via: heading or named departure procedure
Maintain: initial altitude
Expect: final altitude 10 min after departure
Dept Freq: xxxx mHz
Squawk: code

Pretty short and sweet and so we do tend to bark it out. ALWAYS helps to tell the controller that you're a student (some people hate that phrase cause they're rated) pilot. Controllers would rather read it slowly and methodically rather than have to repeat a clearance two or three times.

[KSYR-pjr]

Anyone else think this is a good idea?

I think it is a great idea and I was looking for the same thing when I was training for my instrument rating.  Listening to a series of clearances gives you the opportunity to practice writing them down.    In fact, there is a CD-based audio program that offers just this but cost money.   Why spend for that, though?  Instead, a clip of nothing but clearances could be offered here.   

I travel a lot for my job, but I do have dead time at night during weekday evenings.   If no one else steps forward, I will volunteer to do so but it won't be until early next week.  My first recommendation in compiling a list of clearances that would benefit a new instrument student would be to go to one of the many "general aviation" airport archives, rather than the large, class B airport clearance delivery archives.  There are several reasons why, including the difference in speed of the controller's delivery and the difference in route types (jetways versus victor airways, etc).

[CntrllrATC]

On the BDR feed the maintainer of the scanner could select 121.75 and run that for a day such as a thursday friday or saturday. We do a good amount of IFR clearances and the majority of them are full route due to the TEC routes we have to amend them to. This would at least offer an archive for people to listen to for just such training. Just a thought.

Rob

[Jason]

On the BDR feed the maintainer of the scanner could select 121.75 and run that for a day such as a thursday friday or saturday. We do a good amount of IFR clearances and the majority of them are full route due to the TEC routes we have to amend them to. This would at least offer an archive for people to listen to for just such training. Just a thought.

Rob

Just let me know when and it's a done deal.  Also, are you working tomorrow, Rob?  Thinking of flying your way to do some landings.

[CntrllrATC]

Nope...off this weekend....it's good to be the king....lol. On the frequency deal any thur. fri. or sat. will be good....especially this july 4th pre holiday departures.

[Jason]

Nope...off this weekend....it's good to be the king....lol.

Yes, you know you like it.    I'll catch you another time on the frequency.

[J. White]

Dr. Bob,

Just a thought (they don't come too often)....

If by chance you own Microsoft Flight Simulator and a headset with mic, you could join VATSIM www.vatsim.net and practice copying clearances from a "live virtual controller".

And if you think since it's virtual that it might not be accurate or that you don't feel pressure to get it right you’d be wrong. Many of the liveatc listeners are either VATSIM pilots, controllers or both. Our king kahuna, liveatc.net webmaster Dave P. was very active at VATSIM and I see many other familiar names here on the forums.

If you'd like to pursue this and need a hand getting started just pm me and we'll have you up and running in no time.

Cheers,

JW