Flight Plan (FLIGHT series #01)

Flight 38 - CTAF

CTAF

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, abbreviated as CTAF, is a designated frequency for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport that does not have a control tower or an airport where the control tower is not operational.
In the Philippines, CTAF frequency is at 121.9 MHz.
Also, as agreed courtesy, northbound flights are to be at the east side or south of the waypoint, while southbound flights are to be at the west side or north of the waypoint. Reportings are usually expected to be accomplished within seconds. After all, too many aircrafts are either to wait or just cut in through the reporting if it took you more than such a time. The CTAF is usually very "traffic" that there are only few moments that one can actually report.
Example:
"Traffic Advisory, RP-C3446, departed Subic, now east of Eguia, 5500 ft. Destination Vigan via east of Dasol. Any traffic enroute please advice. Tracking over land."
"Traffic Advisory, RP-C3446, departed Vigan, now west of Sual, 4500 ft. Destination Subic via Hundred Islands. Any traffic enroute please advise. Tracking over water."

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Call me depressed, but sino ba hindi ma-dedepressed? It is a little overboard na I've been rambling quite too loudly for him to hear it. Pero, talaga bang narinig niya? I don't know. I assume na narinig niya lahat ng iyon; and kwinento ko sa mga ka-tropa ko noong College ang nangyari. Even kay Kuya Migs na too much protective sa akin pagdating sa mga ganitong love or infatuation thingy na tinutukoy niya pagkatapos ng nangyari two years ago.

Right after that, I logged out sa lahat ng social media accounts ko. Maging sim sa phone ko tinanggal ko. Buhay hermit muna tayo, which was what I've decided. Ayos lang mahuli sa balita, since natatanggap ko naman 'yong mga notices ng WAA about sa next phase ng training namin through sa mga emails. Kaya hindi rin ako napag-iwanan no'ng nag-email sila ng schedule ng English Language Proficiency Exam namin sa CAAP.

Naka-assign ako for August 7. Pre-destined na naman 'yong groupings na pupunta sa CAAP, since bago pa ako umalis ng Subic ay napag-usapan na kung sinu-sino ang mga magkakasama na pupunta, and nakapagpasa na rin kami ng requirements. Kasabay ko no'n for the ELP exam sila Nikki, Carina, Ange, Kael at Zander. Wala naman kaming ibang napag-usapan na involve 'yong iba naming mga ka-batch, pwera sa mga unang nakapag-ELP sa amin na sila Christine and 'yong mga Pampanga boys. Of course, nahihiya rin sila na intrigahin ako, panigurado, since kasama kong pumunta sa CAAP no'n si Mama at si Marge, since may balak pa kaming puntahan no'ng araw na iyon.

Saglit lang naman ang ELP exam. Set-up for an interview siya with a CAAP pilot. Recorded and ten questions lang. Hindi naman technical. More of like, introduce yourself without saying your name, why did you take up flying, where do you see yourself ten years from now, what are the characteristics you think you have that makes you a good pilot, etc. 'Yong mga ganun. Akala mo mga pang-Miss Universe 'yo ng iba na katanungan or 'di kaya job interview. Since English Language Proficiency Exam nga, so kailangan sagutin in English 'yong mga tanong. Goal for this one is maka-Level 6, kahit Level 4 is acceptable na. Level 6 kasi is lifetime na 'yong certification, samantalang Level 5 is good for five years, and Level 4 is for three years. Not necessarily na kailangan ulitin, pwede na renewal lamang; pero kapag umulit para maka-aim for a higher level, pwede rin, though may interview setup ulit siya.

Hindi naman nag-tagal at just a week after ng ELP exam ay natanggap ko 'yong email ng deployment namin. This time, for the build-up time na kailangan pa namin punuin before ang PPL Checkride namin. Sa Iba, Zambales kami pinapatapon. It is already not surprising, since iyon ang kino-consider ng WAA na station kung saan ang mga PPL ay nag-bubuild ng remaining hours.