See and Avoid Ground Traffic

[goowe]

I've been listening to JFK Tower a lot (I love it!) and have only recently heard them adding "see/observe and avoid ground traffic" to their helicopter approvals (for arriving OR departing) -- the reason the controllers say it is obvious, but why is it only now getting added?

Was there an accident somewhere that made it a requirement, or is it just preventative?

[KSYR-pjr]

As a data point I have been overhearing this instruction for a few years now at my home class C airport of Syracuse, NY.  Are you sure it is new at JFK, or is it new to you hearing it?

[goowe]

Well, I'm sure that I have heard at least ten other helicopter calls that didn't include it (at JFK Tower)... but I'm not sure that it's new :\

[NY Z Pilot]

nah def not new, you hear it all the time at every airport. "dont overfly the 737 on bravo, proceed on course"  or "behind the 737 proceed on course"  whatever it may be, they just dont want the helicopter on top of another plane. Same deal with a closed runway that may be having repairs done, "dont overfly the men and equipment on the runway, cross runway XX"

[cessna157]

I think the new thing in most ATIS broadcasts "All aircraft readback altitude assignments" is kinda funny.


Or JFK's very own "For noise abatement, please use the assigned runway"......Well duh!

[pilot221]

There was never a requirement for aircraft to read back altitude assignments. Most controllers just make sure on their own. We got a new notice at our facility recently (I'm assuming everyone did) saying we need to get altitude read backs from all aircraft unless it is associated with an approach clearance. If we issue a clearance and you don't read it back or only read back the squawk code as a lot of people do, expect a "Verify assigned altitude/flight level."

[NY Z Pilot]

yuuup. its in effect for 1 month i believe as a "test"