Landing Procedures

[LRJet Guy]

I'm not sure I agree with that statement.

In the US, you're going to get the altimeter setting when you are given a descent below the transition level. If you're already below it, you're given another setting when you check on after a hand off.

You get the runway assignment when you check on with approach control, and you get a wind check when you get landing clearance.

Also, considering that unless a special is issued, the ATIS information can be almost an hour old at times.

Maybe it is more important in other parts of the world, but about half the time I listen to it in the States, it's 30 seconds of my life I won't get back.

[Rjuncker]

And as far as the ATIS, do arriving IFR flights at a busy airport really need it? I mean ATC will give you windchecks, and obviously they've already set you up for the approach so the active runway isn't really a factor.

Do we really need it. No, you can get by without it. But in order to save yourself getting told off by the controllers it's a good idea to have it. More importantly, in my opinion, 99% of the time, when you're armed with an ATIS, you can plan your descend profile well in advance. This, I think, is good airmanship as you're less likely to have any questions during approach, thus using less time on a sometimes busy frequency. It will also give you a chance to plan your expected taxi clearance well in advance.

So strictly speaking - in todays modern world - I guess you could do without it, but I wouldn't commence an apporach in normal circumstances without getting the ATIS first.

Just my two cents worth...

[AJ]

Items such as "Taxiway Alpha Two closed due pavement failure" can be very handy before taking the rapid exit at Alpha 2! That being said I think I use the ATIS information most on my PAs.

[screaming_emu]

So strictly speaking - in todays modern world - I guess you could do without it, but I wouldn't commence an apporach in normal circumstances without getting the ATIS first.

Just my two cents worth...

Yeah, I try to get it as much as possible. With the way the airspace around DC was set up until recently, sometimes I wasn't able to pick up the ATIS, or if I was able to get it it was only bits and pieces.

We used to be inside the Air Defense Identification Zone for DC. In order to operate inside that you must be on a special flight plan, have a special code in the transponder, and be in contact with ATC right after you take off. So if you're flying single pilot (or with a student who is still learning to talk on the radios) sometimes it comes down to listening to Potomac approach and doing what they tell you, or listening to the ATIS. Every time I try to do both, ATC calls me.

Now that we're outside the ADIZ, whenever I go into BWI I'm able to take off from W29 and circle around while I get the info.

there is a lot of crap on there that we can do without though. I know there are going to be birds in the vicinity of the airport...we're right near the Chesapeake Bay.

[brianw999]

...and concerning scanners. If you come to the UK it is one of only a couple of countries where listening to the airband is illegal !

Doesn't mean spotters/photographers don't use them of course but that is the law.

I am, quite naturally, a VERY law abiding citizen and would therefore never, EVER even CONSIDER using my Sportcat scanner, which I don't own of course, to listen to airband transmissions.

What a pile of boŁŁocks some of our laws are, eh ?

[ollieholmes]

...and concerning scanners. If you come to the UK it is one of only a couple of countries where listening to the airband is illegal !

Doesn't mean spotters/photographers don't use them of course but that is the law.

I am, quite naturally, a VERY law abiding citizen and would therefore never, EVER even CONSIDER using my Sportcat scanner, which I don't own of course, to listen to airband transmissions.

What a pile of boŁŁocks some of our laws are, eh ?

Haha. I never knew that. And obviously not all Police officers do cuse i walked right past one today with my scanner on and he didnt bat an eyelid.

[Crunk415balla]

Yeah, items such as closed taxiways or temporary obstructions are well important.

I do wish they'd update it more frequently. Thus far, the hour old SQL ATIS with winds which have since shifted and what not seems to get real old real fast. Of course, this doesn't apply to any other situation.