airtraffic

Author Topic: Please Explain "Say Intentions"  (Read 19607 times)

Offline TReindl

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Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« on: December 05, 2011, 11:51:17 PM »
In the transcript of the recent accident of Cirrus 223CD in Chicago the DuPage Controller requested the pilot who was VFR in IFR  to "say intentions".

It seems this phrase while it sounds like an instruction is inviting the Pilot to offer more information, or possibly request assistance or help.  Not necessarily relating to this situation, what types of responses are Controllers looking for when they request "say intentions"?
It seems there is something beyond the obvious here, that  pilots may not fully understand from the controllers point of view.
Or is there something a controller would like to say, but can't so instead they say "Say Intentions"


Thanks,



Offline StuSEL

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2011, 01:02:13 AM »
"Say intentions" is just a phrase used to seek more information. In this case, I believe "say intentions" was used to figure out what the pilot was doing after a period of radio silence. It can be used in pretty much any situation where there is an unclear circumstance present.

Offline wangwangxu

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2012, 10:40:17 PM »
Controller : Say your intention.
means
Tell me what do you want or what do you need, I will see what I can do here for you.

Offline JTek

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2012, 06:55:50 PM »
This isn't a universal answer, but one example is when you're arriving at an airport in marginal (but still VFR) weather, and the tower controller says, "field is below basic VFR minimums, say intentions." In that case, he is waiting for you to request special VFR. He's not allowed to offer it.

Offline U Wilco

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2012, 11:42:35 PM »
This is a little off topic, but I found it really hard and sad to listen to 3CD.  He had soooo many outs initially and was flying a TAF (technically advanced aircraft).  Just listening to his phraseology, it was clear he didn't understand the services that were at his beck and call;  it was also VERY clear he was behind the airplane before he ever got in it.  PLEASE, learn your aircraft, know your aircraft, and stay proficient.

...man that was hard.  Stay safe.

Offline pilot698

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2012, 01:46:42 AM »
Say intentions is simply the controller asking you what you want to do. I've heard the phrase used most often in situations where a controller denies a request and wants to know what you would like to do instead. Often it occurs when an aircraft is attempting to arrive or depart VFR in conditions lower than basic VMC. At the airport I did my CPL at the controllers were only allowed to permit a certain number of aircraft practicing circuits at once so when they had no space available they'd deny your request for circuits and ask you to say your intentions.

Offline Charlotte, NC

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Re: Please Explain "Say Intentions"
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2012, 07:04:30 PM »
Most times when a controller says "say intentions" to me, it's on approach to the traffic pattern at an airport and they want to know if we'll be landing, low approach, or touch-and-go's. In the context of an accident, they would be asking for what the pilot intends to do, because the controller's job becomes that of getting people out of the way of the emergency aircraft, and getting emergency services to the aircraft.
« Last Edit: February 06, 2012, 07:09:32 PM by Eastman »