Radio traffic from IPC flight

Today I did the second of two flights with a new instructor (to me) to complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). I did not bring a cockpit audio recorder with me so I had to go “harvest” what made it from the LiveATC.net audio archive. I pretty much got most of the departure audio from KOJC and the audio on the last leg returning to KOJC. There are radio calls that are missing just due to the nature of how scanners work and the number of frequencies scanned on the KOJC LiveATC.net feeder.

This instrument practice flight was 1.5 hours. We did four approaches including a hold over the TOP VOR. The route of this flight was KOJC -> KTOP (LOC BC 31) -> KLWC (VOR-A) -> KIXD (GPS 19) -> KOJC (LOC 18). Overall I was happy with my radio calls. I was a bit detracted setting up the approach on the G1000 when I made my call to KOJC for the LOC 18 approach, you will hear it in there towards the middle.

This audio was edited to trim out the long delays and non-essential transmissions, but the content of the transmissions was left unaltered.

Next time, I’ll bring my digital audio recorder.


(Flash Plug-in Required)

You can also download the audio here [MP3]

Mobile browser support for LiveATC.net

Today LiveATC.net posted to their Twitter account saying they had started beta testing their mobile browser support. As an avid BlackBerry user, I was happy to have a possible alternative to “hacking” the LiveATC.net mobile support on the BlackBerry.

According to the Twitter post the following browsers are supported at this time: iPhone/iPod Touch, Android 2.0+ & Blackberry Bold. The mobile URL is: m.liveatc.net

Testing with my BlackBerry Bold 9700 performed well! The interface is very thin/clean and you can search and browse the same feeds that are already available on the site. With single click you can start streaming any selected feed.

Thanks to this new mobile browser support, I can now delete my dozens of LiveATC.net bookmarks that I had created manually for my favorite ATC feeds.

If you have a supported phone, give it a try. I would love to hear your experience.

5 Quick G1000 Tips

G1000 Side ViewI’ve been flying the Garmin G1000 platform since my first flight in 2006 and it seems that every time I fly, I discover some new feature or function.

In this post, I will attempt to summarize some tips/tricks. This is in no way a substitute for a checkout on the G1000 platform with a CFI. There are lots of great G1000 training courses out there which will help you learn much more about the system, but here are a few of my quick tips. Continue reading

Bad IFR approach can teach others

kojc-loc-rwy-36If you were near Kansas City yesterday, it was a perfect day to get some “actual” IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) time logged. We had a cold front slide Southeast in the morning leaving us with temperatures in the 50s and 60s F (10-15 C). The front left a low level cloud deck from about 1000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) to 3500 feet AGL (several broken layers above) and there was light rain/mist. Below the overcast, the visibility was 7-10 SM (Statute Miles). A great IMC day for doing some approaches.

Late this afternoon, I was listening to the KOJC feed over at LiveATC.net, and I overheard a pilot struggling with an approach into Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC). As I listened and thought about it, there were several things (good and bad) that could be shared from his experience.

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Organization encourages girls in aviation

Girls With WingsI feel very fortunate to work for a company that allows dads to take a month off to spend time with their new kids. After my wife spent 12 weeks at home, it was my turn as primary care giver for a month with my baby daughter. Between feeding and playing, I’ve had much more time this past month to compose blog posts and get to know some other pilots on the web.

Today, via Twitter, I was introduced to the Girls With Wings organization (Follow them @GirlsWithWings). This organization seeks to introduce girls to aviation at a young age and encourages them to follow their dreams.

“Instead of encouraging our girls to wait for their knights in shining armor, how about encouraging them to explore the night in their shiny airplane?”

To learn more about Girls with Wings, visit their web site or their parent organization site, Very Important Pilots, LLC

Changes proposed to KOJC ATC Feed

Live Air Traffic Control Communications | LiveATC.net

For over a year, I’ve hosted the KOJC feed over at LiveATC.net. I know there are several people who listen regularly as I have seen the feed appear several times in the Top 50 stream list. I would like to get your feedback on some proposed changes based on my monitoring of the feed over the past month.

In a nutshell here is what I’m proposing: 1, removing the High Altitude ARTCC frequencies and 2, adding some of the area Low Altitude ARTCC frequencies.

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