After 16 years of flying across UK and Europe as a hobby, I completed my
Night Rating on thursday at London Luton. The radio calls you do there are
the same as at Luton, with the exception that we have tower and ground
frequencies.

The power checks are done at the best place for you that does not
inconvenience the heavies that pay for the upkeep of the airport. With
regard to the radio calls, airports with significant volumes of IFR traffic
need a common system, with checks and balances to ensure everyone is singing
from the same hymnsheet. Stick with it, it will stand you in good stead.
Better to learn at learn that level, than to learn at a grass strip and be
frightened of going near a control zone.

"Paul" wrote in message
...
Hi

I am training for my PPL in the UK at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, I
have
passed the 55 hour mark which includes my Qualifying X-Country. Not long
to
go now.... anyway, back to the subject of my posting.
At Liverpool, we do our power checks on the GA Apron and not at the
holding
point, after the power checks we check the ATIS then request taxi.

I have been taught by my instructor(s) to make the call something like
this:

G-ABCD: Liverpool Tower, this is G-ABCD at Kilo with information Alpha QNH
1234, QFE 1234 request Taxi

To which the tower will reply confirming the AN/QFE and give taxi
instructions.

However,
When re-entering the Liverpool zone (or any other FIR), the first call is
usually (Station, callsign)
i.e.
G-ABCD: Liverpool Approach, this is G-ABCD
Approach: G-ABCD, Pass your message
etc. etc. etc.

I was told this was to just 'Introduce Yourself' first to ensure the
controller is ready to accept your message,

My question is:

Why not do the same when on the Apron?
i.e.
G-ABCD: Liverpool Tower, this is G-ABCD
Tower: G-ABCD, Pass your message
G-ABCD: G-ABCD is at Kilo with information Alpha AN 1234, QFE 1234 request
Taxi

Surely it would be better to 'just introduce' yourself to the Tower before
babbling for 10 seconds only to be told by the Tower to 'Stand By' as he
is
about to vector a 737 in for an approach.

I hate it (especially earlier in my training) when I would make a rushed
tongue tied call to the Tower only to be either told to Stand By or
realise
I was talking over someone else.

Any comments or advice?