I was cruising one time at 5,500 MSL out in the middle of the Willamette valley, and had a Cessna RG overtake me going the same heading, about 100 feet below me and 50 feet off my left wing. I had no idea until I happen to see him as I randomly scanned to the left. Not a huge deal, but I had no idea he was coming. I assume he saw me, and that our altitude difference was just a discrepancy in altimeter setting. I often think it would have been nice to have one of the little Monroy or Zaon units.

1SeventyZ wrote:I was cruising one time at 5,500 MSL out in the middle of the Willamette valley, and had a Cessna RG overtake me going the same heading, about 100 feet below me and 50 feet off my left wing. I had no idea until I happen to see him as I randomly scanned to the left. Not a huge deal, but I had no idea he was coming. I assume he saw me, and that our altitude difference was just a discrepancy in altimeter setting. I often think it would have been nice to have one of the little Monroy or Zaon units.

If he had seen you, wasn't he supposed to overtake you on your right side?

58Skylane wrote:
If he had seen you, wasn't he supposed to overtake you on your right side?

Yep. I guess he wasn't up on 91.113(f). Not that it really matters in the middle of an uncontrolled valley 35 miles wide, unless you're 100 feet apart.

1SeventyZ wrote:

58Skylane wrote:
If he had seen you, wasn't he supposed to overtake you on your right side?

Yep. I guess he wasn't up on 91.113(f). Not that it really matters in the middle of an uncontrolled valley 35 miles wide, unless you're 100 feet apart.

10-4 on that!

Talked to BOI approach today. They were really nice and let me through their airspace just 2 miles south of the runways. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done in an airplane I think I'll take G3's route and avoid civilization...it has worked so far.

What was scary about that?

Bonanza Man wrote:What was scary about that?

It wasn't too bad really. I am very nervous on the radio so that is what makes it difficult for me. The controller was professional and very patient...I had to ask him to repeat instructions twice I'll probably talk to them each time I fly to IDA and back but I don't think I'll be moving to a busy airport anytime soon.

whee wrote:

Bonanza Man wrote:What was scary about that?

It wasn't too bad really. I am very nervous on the radio so that is what makes it difficult for me. The controller was professional and very patient...I had to ask him to repeat instructions twice I'll probably talk to them each time I fly to IDA and back but I don't think I'll be moving to a busy airport anytime soon.

I'm with you whee,
Sometimes I wish I would have learned at a controlled field.

Small Tail Caddy wrote:

whee wrote:

Bonanza Man wrote:What was scary about that?

It wasn't too bad really. I am very nervous on the radio so that is what makes it difficult for me. The controller was professional and very patient...I had to ask him to repeat instructions twice I'll probably talk to them each time I fly to IDA and back but I don't think I'll be moving to a busy airport anytime soon.

I'm with you whee,
Sometimes I wish I would have learned at a controlled field.

I'm with you too, Whee. I did most of my training out of Caldwell and very rarely went over to Boise. Mainly because I was too scared to talk to ATC. But after I got my license and before I made my first journey to SoCal, I manned up and went over to Boise and did a whole bunch of T&G's with taxi back. I also flew in and out of the Boise Class C airspace many times. Well, I eventually found Boise ATC to be very friendly, helpful and very simple to deal with. Which in turn made my flight down to and around the L.A. basin to be very simple (just a few miscommunications that I quickly correctly)

I think you'll find that ATC being a pain is really pretty unusual. Those folks are human just like us, and they make mistakes, get frustrated, etc, but in my experience, the professionalism of controllers is just about as universal and consistent as it gets.

I've heard folks stumble around on the radio, and ATC patiently work them just like any other traffic. That is the job, after all.

On RARE occasion, I have heard a controller get a little snippy, but again, they're human too, and we all have bad days occasionally. I am always amazed at how cool and calm controllers are in general, however, even when it seems like everyone decides to arrive/depart simultaneously.

And, most controllers have a good sense of humor as well.

I tell my students (who learn to fly at an uncontrolled field) to just think every initial communication as "Who---Where---What" Who are you (tail number) Where are you (some information for the controller to find you) and What do you want to do? After that, it's just a conversation with another human. Granted, we try to tighten it up a bit, but nevertheless, most ATC communications are predictable and straightforward.

Don't be afraid to work with ATC. Get in there, and practice your communications skills...it'll open more possibilities for your flying.

MTV

mtv wrote:..............Don't be afraid to work with ATC. Get in there, and practice your communications skills...it'll open more possibilities for your flying.

I concur, there ain't much to it once you get over your "mike fright" (kinda like talking to girls when you're a teenager)-- don't let it dictate your flying. I learn to fly at an uncontrolled field, but never suffered mike fright and so have never had a problem dealing with ATC. I gotta admit that they do throw me a curve now and then, though.

Eric

The best thing about talkin to the controllers when you are even not in the class c is you have another set of eye's looking out for you. Way out in the bushes it's not to bad but when it gets crowded, it's pretty nice having someone else looking for traffic.
Just start talking to them, even tell them you're a newbie and they will help you right out.
My $.02
GT