For the past few weeks or so, I’ve been listening to local Air traffic controllers chatting to various aircrafts in and around Toronto. At first it just started off as pure curiosity. However, now, I’m making an effort to spend a few hours a week listening to the chatter in an effort to get a leg up on the “radio communications” portion of aviation training.

I figured this would be a good way to get a feel for the type and flow of information to and from aircraft and their controllers.

I also catch my self “spelling” words out phonetically when I’m reading things. This is another exercise for me to remember the phonetic alphabet. It’s not E-X-I-T.. its Echo-XRay-India-Tango!

Not only will I be licensed to fly an airplane, but to also operate various radios. I believe the requirement comes from the CRTC. There is a pretty simple written test, as far as I understand, that will ask various questions such as how to operate a radio and radio etiquette.