kimr10•9d ago

A pilot told me my comms checks were 'aggressive' and it actually made sense

I was doing a preflight on a King Air last month, and after my standard 'comms check, one two three' over the intercom, the captain said, 'Hey, you sound like you're yelling at the radio. It's not a fight.' I always thought being loud and clear was the only way. But he was right, I was basically shouting into a sensitive mic. Now I just talk in a normal, calm voice. It sounds way more professional and the clarity is actually better. Anyone else get a piece of feedback that totally flipped a basic habit?

4 comments

4 Comments

riley_schmidt9d ago

My buddy Jake got told his walkaround was too fast. An instructor said he was just ticking boxes, not really looking. Slowing down by half made him find a cracked lens he'd have missed.

annawebb9d ago

Just ticking boxes" is exactly how I used to do it too.

hollyc928d ago

Oh man, that hits home. I used to race through my pre-flight so fast I probably missed a whole other plane parked next to mine. Had to force myself to actually stop and touch things, not just glance.

allen.ivan8d ago

Rushing through the walkaround is such a common trap. @riley_schmidt's story about finding the crack after slowing down really shows the difference. It turns a list into a real check.