Flight Plan (FLIGHT series #01)

Flight 01 - Initial Call

Initial Call

As courtesy to the station or frequency one is about to make contact to, an initial call is made. Usually, it starts with the Station being called, followed by the aircraft Ident, and then a Greeting.
Example: "Subic Tower, RP-C3446, good morning."
The Station being called may or may not answer right away, depending on the traffic in the area and of priority. If the Station didn't reply back after silence, repeat the courtesy call. If they do answer, expect the Station to reply with a "Go ahead", such as: "3446, good morning, go ahead."
Afterwards, given the clearance to speak, you are to say your location and intention. If you are on ground, in the order of Station, Ident, Aircraft Type, ATIS Information (not all station do have one), Position, Intention.
Example: "Tower, RP-C3446, Cessna 172, with Info code Alpha, on Southwest ramp, request to move forward for engine run-up."
***If you are flying toward a station for landing, the order will be Station, Ident, ATIS Information (again, not all stations do have one), Position, Altitude, Intention.
Example: "Tower, RP-C3446 with Info code Alpha, now five miles inbound, maintaining 1500, request landing instructions."
***But, if you are passing through a station, the order will be Station, Ident, Position, Altitude, Intention, Destination.
Example: "Radio, RP-C3446, now east of Bauang, 4500, request to fly east of your station, destination Vigan."

———

November 2018. Clark, Pampanga.

Medyo kabado, excited at natatakot ako no'ng first day. Kabado dahil new environment na naman, professionals sa field na ng aviation ang mga makikilala ko, and new friends. Excited kasi, finally, after four years sa college, I'm drawing closer to being a pilot. And natatakot dahil alam ko 'yong amount ng money na kailangan para sa tuition ko.

Two months ago, nag-ikot-ikot kami nila Papa at Mama para sa mga flying schools. And everytime na nag-iinquire kami, hindi ko alam bakit ako nagugulat sa halaga. We're talking about millions of Philippine peso for this one. Sa huling school pa nga na pinuntahan namin, US Dollars pa ang main currency; wala pang fixed na peso conversion dahil depende sa palitan. But, believe me, nahikayat ang parents ko with the last school. Simply because sa lahat ng flying schools na pinuntahan namin, ito lang 'yong may A320 simulator. 'Yong A320 na type ng aircraft na madalas gamit ng mga airlines for their domestic flights.

And siguro humanga din sila sa itsura ng simulators. Kaya, ito. And also, expect mo na international ang class dahil dollars ang usapan.

Kaya rin hindi ko maiwasan na matakot. Hindi sa iniisip ko na, I'll fail. Naniniwala ako na nakapasok na nga ako eh, so I better believe na kaya ko.

Did I even mention na bago ako makapasok is may aptitude exam and panel interview? Kaloka 'yong sa interview, may mga quick math calculations. Akala ko tapos na sa aptitude, hanggang interview mayroon.

Another thing, medyo naiiyak ako dahil first time ko mahihiwalay sa parents ko. As in, to be honest, kahit gaano ako ka-excited, baby pa rin ako nila Papa at Mama. Apparently, hindi ko pwedeng gawing uwian ang Clark at Cavite habang may pasok ng eight-thirty in the morning until five-thirty in the afternoon from Monday until Friday. Tuwing weekend na lang sa bahay.

Being the first day ngayon, it appears as some sort of tradition for Wright Aviation Academy to formally welcome their students. To be honest, compared sa ibang flying school na they accept students no matter the date, WAA had set a batch of students every two months.

"Anak, anong batch niyo nga ulit?" tanong ni Mama habang tinuturo kami ng isa sa mga staffs kung saan ang dorm ko. Hawak-hawak niya 'yong uniform ko since kakakuha pa lamang namin ngayon din.