Ive met some really really smart ppl that you could explain things to them and beg them to ask if they don't understand so you can explain it again? I've learned that having someone explain what they understood is the best way to weed out issues. Some ppl will lie until they are blue in the face so that they don't look stupid but refuse to be honest when they truly need help, which is why having someone explain what you are requesting of them has been so crucial in my life and not costing me or my clients tens of thousands of dollars in irreversible or irreparable damages.
Another key point, ATC ≠ the sky police. They're not there to make rules or hand out punitive actions, they're only there to maintain safe separation, give relevant weather and safety information, and to *strongly suggest* you follow existing rules (because as you say, it's a pilot's discretion on flying the plane). If you break rules badly enough to be in actual (legal) trouble, it won't be a controller you have to answer to when you're back on the ground. So, remember, ATC might not always be chummy friends with you, but they are there for your benefit and safety, so don't be intimidated by them.
Also a good way of getting experience in this is listen into ATC live and follow the flights with flight radar. Edit: well I should’ve waited to the end
If you haven't made a controller angry, are you actually a pilot? 🤔
Good points !
The word is: ASSERTIVENESS
Ive met some really really smart ppl that you could explain things to them and beg them to ask if they don't understand so you can explain it again? I've learned that having someone explain what they understood is the best way to weed out issues. Some ppl will lie until they are blue in the face so that they don't look stupid but refuse to be honest when they truly need help, which is why having someone explain what you are requesting of them has been so crucial in my life and not costing me or my clients tens of thousands of dollars in irreversible or irreparable damages.
Another key point, ATC ≠ the sky police. They're not there to make rules or hand out punitive actions, they're only there to maintain safe separation, give relevant weather and safety information, and to *strongly suggest* you follow existing rules (because as you say, it's a pilot's discretion on flying the plane).
If you break rules badly enough to be in actual (legal) trouble, it won't be a controller you have to answer to when you're back on the ground. So, remember, ATC might not always be chummy friends with you, but they are there for your benefit and safety, so don't be intimidated by them.
Also a good way of getting experience in this is listen into ATC live and follow the flights with flight radar. Edit: well I should’ve waited to the end
We have mad Mike here in Nashville.