Years ago, as a student pilot, I remember the fear when my instructor told me we would be flying into Class B (then known as a TCA). What happens if I miss a call? What happens if I blow an altitude, or screw up a heading? He kept re-assuring me that I would do just fine. But I wasn’t convinced.
I made contact and entered the airspace, flying my assigned altitude and heading with sweaty palms, listening to the pros.
Suddenly, ATC, in a very cynical, condescending tone, barked out “Northwest 560, WHERE are you going?”
A rather timid voice came back with “Heading 260, sir.”
“I said 360! Fly heading 360. Just where do you think the airport is?”
“Roger … 360” was the reply.
“Cessna XYZ, fly heading 300.”
“Heading 300, Cessna XYZ.”
“Thanks, at least SOMEONE here can follow instructions.”
From that point on, flying in controlled airspace was no sweat.
Short Final…
Key Takeaways:
- A student pilot initially harbored significant fear about flying in controlled Class B airspace, anxious about making errors.
- During a flight, the pilot witnessed an Air Traffic Controller sternly correct an experienced airline pilot for a heading mistake.
- Observing that even professional pilots make errors and receive direct feedback from ATC helped alleviate the student pilot's own anxieties.
- This experience ultimately removed the student pilot's apprehension about flying in controlled airspace.
See a mistake? Contact us.
