The Pilot's Air Traffic Control Handbook [Paperback]

Paul E. Illman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Practical Flying | Publication Date: January 31, 1999

Targeted at the VFR-pilot, this volume explains the complexities of the air traffic control system in a manner that removes intimidation and trepidation about using it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The best VFR pilot's guide to flying smartly and safely in today's ATC system. Are you reluctant to fly into controlled airspaces or major airports? Unsure of the protocol for talking to air traffic controllers? Hesitant to use optional ATC services? The air traffic control system belongs to all pilots, not just the commercial and military aviators. And using the ATC system like a professional can save time, money...and lives. Find out for yourself how easy and helpful today's ATC system really is. Let this book guide you through: essential rules and procedures; flying in special-use airspace; operating in the Class B, D, E, and G airspaces and airports; correct radio use and teminology; using flight service stations (flight plans, position reporting); handling emergencies by using the air traffic system; operating in busy traffic areas; and much more. Case studies of accidents and incidents caused by the nonuse or misuse of the ATC system complete the picture. The Third Edition also includes completely updated regulations and a glossary of abbreviations and acronyms. This bestselling volume in the Practical Flying Series is essential fo every pilot's bookshelf.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing; 3 edition (January 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070318344
• ISBN-13: 978-0070318342
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,412,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Say Again by Gardner is better, April 23, 2004

By 

-deke- (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pilot's Air Traffic Control Handbook (Paperback)

I enjoyed Paul Illman's Radio Communication's Handbook. I first read it ten years ago when I was training for my private certificate. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the updated version a couple of years ago. But I found that the new version of the RCH suffered from the same problem as the Air Traffic Control Handbook - too bloated with superfluous information and not enough on practical issues facing either a VFR or IFR pilot that wants to get real world advice on using the ATC system. When I bought the ATCH, I also bought Gardner's Say Again to hedge my bets in case I was disappointed with the ATCH. Having read them both back to back, Say Again is a shorter read but fuller of useful advice and also easier to follow. I think the ATCH suffers from poor editing and could be a better book if it were shorter but more pithy. Maybe this will be corrected in the next edition. I won't single out the ATCH on this critcism though; most aviation handbooks seem to gain unnecessary weight with each edition. For example the Jeppessen IFR handbook was a mere 150 pp back in the sixties now its a nearly thousand page behemoth and I'm not sure it's much better (issues aside about the myriad changes in regulations, technology, and airspace since). More than any endeavor in aviation the KISS principal reigns supreme.