Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

"Michael Houghton" wrote in message
...

The ATC handbook (7110.65) includes:

7-8-4. ESTABLISHING TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS

Class C service requires pilots to establish two-way radio
communications before entering Class C airspace. If the controller
responds to a radio call with, "(a/c call sign) standby," radio
communications have been established and the pilot can enter Class C
airspace. If workload or traffic conditions prevent immediate provision
of Class C services, inform the pilot to remain outside Class C
airspace until conditions permit the services to be provided.

Thus, the sequence:

N1234: Podunk tower, N1234...rest of stuff in initial callup
Podunk: N1234, remain outside Charlie airspace and standby.
N1234: Podunk tower, N1234.
Podunk: N1234, standby.

authorized entry.



What led you to believe the phrase "Stand by" means "authorization to enter
Class C airspace is now granted"?


Not the "Stand by," but the "N1234, standby." And what might lead someone
to believe that is the direct quote from 7110.65, Sect. 7-8-4 above:
"If the controller responds to a radio call with, '(a/c call sign)
standby,' radio communications have been established and the pilot can
enter Class C airspace."

It also specifies that if the controller feels conditions at that time are
such that the aircraft should not enter Class C space he is to explicitly
state:
"PHRASEOLOGY-
(A/c call sign) REMAIN OUTSIDE CHARLIE AIRSPACE AND STANDBY."

So based on my reading of the 7110.65 handbook it seems clear that if the
controller responds to a radio call with the a/c call sign but without the
explicit statement to "remain outside charlie airspace" then he has allowed
the pilot to proceed through the Class C airspace.