Change the Com1 Frequency by saying... "Going to 133.5"
Let's assume that you either have the built-in Microsoft ATC system window continuously open on a second monitor, or
you have set up your single-monitor system such that the ATC window pops-up when ATC issues you a command to
change frequencies.
Under these conditions, when ATC instructs you to... "Contact Departures on 133.5", you can . . .
Respond by saying:
- Select One... to acknowledge the instruction
- Select One... to change to the assigned frequency of 133.5
- Select One... to contact Departures
or, you can simply say:
- Going to 133.5... to acknowledge the instruction AND change to the assigned frequency
- Select One... to contact Departures
IMPORTANT NOTE: As you well understand, if ATC is busy speaking to another aircraft, the above method can fail, in
which case you can fall back to the first method shown above.
Using the Tail Number!
OK... let's take this "realistic" ATC response methodology to the next level.
Let's assume that you are flying a Boeing 737-800, the Flight Number is 0 (admitedly a rather unlikely scenario) and the Tail Number is N737W.
Try saying this:
- Going to 133.5... to acknowledge the instruction AND change to the assigned frequency
- November 737 Whiskey is with you... to contact Departures
Using the Flight Number!
Perhaps you are flying a Boeing 747-400 and the Flight Number is 1123.
Try saying this:
- Going to 133.5... to acknowledge the instruction AND change to the assigned frequency
- 1123 Heavy is with you... to contact Departures
Responding to ATC Instructions!
Acknowledging ATC instructions like . . . "Climb and maintain Flight Level 250", "Turn right heading 085",
"Descend and maintain 8000", etc., involves two steps. Namely:
- Execute the instruction
- Echo the confirmation to ATC
The typical voice-only scenario goes like this:
You say to Michelle:
- Climb and maintain Flight Level 250... to execute the instruction
- Select One... to acknowledge the ATC instruction
Try Activating ATC Responses!
There's a way to simplify the process of executing and responding to ATC instructions. You can say to Michelle . . .
"Activate ATC Responses."
Michelle will respond with:
"Aye, aye Captain. I will handle some of the A T C responses for you."
Then when you tell Michelle to:
- Climb and maintain Flight Level 250
she'll execute the instruction AND send the acknowledgment to ATC.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once again, if ATC is busy speaking to another aircraft, the above method can fail.
So, if all else fails, hit the keys on the keyboard!
A NOTE OF CAUTION:
If you have activated ATC Responses, please ensure that the ATC
window is CLOSED before executing voice-commands that are NOT in response to an ATC instruction. For example,
if the ATC window is displaying a Menu Item #1 to Cancel the IFR Flight Plan and you say, "Turn right heading zero eight five", Michelle will
execute the instruction, then promptly emit a "1" to the ATC window to Cancel the Flight Plan! Not a nice thing to have happen.
So, IF the ATC window is open, then simply say, "ATC", to CLOSE IT before issuing a command.
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