Talking Radio

TALKING RADIO

MARCH 2013

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another edition of `Talking Radio`, the tenth in the series to date. During the past 3 months since my last article, there appears to have been fewer mishaps on frequency throughout the aviation industry in South Africa which could be a sign that people are taking radio telephony and associated procedures more seriously.This is ultimately resulting in safer skies so well done to you all.

An exciting development that has taken place during the first quarter of this year is the joint venture between Henley Air (Helicopter Pilots) and Unlimited Flying (Power Paragliders) to facilitate combined Radio Telephony (RT) classes for these 2 pilot categories.This allows these pilots to learn about each other’s airspace creating awareness and specifically make the pilots who fly mainly at Rand aware of what is taking place in the Johannesburg Special Rules Area with other flying schools such as this one. This is a good initiative and I hope to be able to help other schools throughout South Africa to take advantage of this type of RT training approach.

Talking about helicopter pilots, I have noticed another RT term that is starting to cause confusion for them and therefore wish to highlight this so that we can identify this mistakes and correct it. The 2 RT transmissions are as follows:

1. ABC, report ready to cross active runway 29

2. ABC, check before crossing active runway 29

In the first transmission example the helicopter has been instructed by the ATC to hold short of the active runway and report when they are ready to cross that runway. Although the format of the second transmission is slightly different the meaning is exactly the same. In other words, a pilot may not cross any runway before they have received the necessary permission from ATC to do so.

During my radio lecture presentations I often find that not all pilots are entirely familiar with the term TIBA (Traffic and Information broadcast by all Aircraft) and what frequencies are included in this terminology. Basically a pilot makes a blind broadcast on a TIBA frequency when flying in uncontrolled airspace. TIBA consists of a combination of the following frequencies namely:

1. Traffic below 1500feet Above Ground Level (AGL) in uncontrolled and, clear of Special Rules, airspace. (This frequency is 124.80 MHz)
2. Traffic in the General Flying Area. (This frequency is generally 124.40 MHz but when in doubt refer to the AIP for clarification).
3. Traffic in the Special Rules Area. (Refer to the AIP En Route section for clarification on the frequencies specific to that area you are flying in.)

I am often asked by pilots as to when does the semi-circular rule not apply. The answer to this is fairly straight forward and is listed below in no particular order:

a. When flying below 1500 feet AGL.

b. When flying in the General Flying Area (GFA).

c. While flying in the circuit of an ATZ, CTR or any unmanned airfield.

d. When flying in any Special Rules Area.

The term `Broadcasting Blind` appears in general to be mistaken to only mean when a pilot talks on a radio to other possible pilots in their approximate area when they have a suspected radio failure. It is very important to note that `Broadcasting Blind` also means and takes place when a pilot makes random transmissions on the allocated frequency whilst flying in uncontrolled airspace such as the GFA to advise other traffic of their intentions as these pilots are all responsible for maintaining their own safety and separation from other aircraft while operating within this airspace. There is no ATC in uncontrolled airspace to manage the circuit or supply relevant traffic information and instructions so pilots will communicate with each other as and when required to ensure that everyone on frequency is kept adequately informed of constant movements taking place in that area.

It is important to note that with the current Rhino conservation Project in South Africa, Paragliders, Power-Paragliders, Power Para-trikes, Helicopters, Microlights and any other Pilots operating low level over or in the vicinity of a nature reserve for example can easily be mistaken as a potential poacher by the SAPS, SANDF and the Nature Conservation Team. It is therefore your duty to inform the relevant authorities prior to you undertaking such a flight. Because it is not always exactly clear as to whom the exact authorities are in this instance I am trying to establish more information on who the correct people are for you to communicate with when planning to undertake such a flight and will publish this information on my website as soon as it has become available.

I would like to end off by taking this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter. Please feel free to email me with any RT queries that you may have at any stage and I will gladly assist.

Until next time, yours in maintaining professional RT,

Dylan. (0829406473).

Talking `THE TALK`.

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