Question from a new flight student (whopping 7 hours!)

The airnav site is the one lacking the info I referred to.
Great site, but it's missing a few things on the airports.

I haven't quite gotten to x-ctry flights yet, but
I'm curious and love to learn about anything that
is coming up.
So, I sat down and just explored a bunch of sites and what they have.
Each one is a little different.
The knee-board from AOPA is nice, but doesn't have all freqs in use (e.g.
AWOS).
Airnav is missing something (also some things known locally at W29).
So, this is why I'm curious about insuring that I get the
best info from the best place - DEVELOPING GOOD HABITS and all.

Thanks to ALL for taking the time to follow up.

I'll keep a set of stone tablets in the back just in case . . .

I haven't quite gotten to x-ctry flights yet, but
I'm curious and love to learn about anything that
is coming up.

That's an excellent attitude.

So, I sat down and just explored a bunch of sites and what they have.
Each one is a little different.
The knee-board from AOPA is nice, but doesn't have all freqs in use (e.g.
AWOS).
Airnav is missing something (also some things known locally at W29).
So, this is why I'm curious about insuring that I get the
best info from the best place - DEVELOPING GOOD HABITS and all.

The best pre-flight (and in-flight) info is obtained from a variety of
sources.

1. Flight Service. In this age of pop-up TFRs, get a weather briefing
before each flight. While you're talking, ask about NOTAMs (Notices To
Airmen), because they'll tell you the little "surprise!" things (like a
runways that's closed for crack-sealing, that the airport manager forgot to
call in.). Don't forget to ask specifically about all TFRs.

2. Airnav is an excellent, very thorough site, run by a real GA supporter,
Paulo Santos. You will find this site more and more valuable as your
experience grows.

3. Your Sectional Chart will have most of the pertinent radio frequencies
for your flight. (Caution: Approach frequencies for center, and a lot of
the "oddball" frequencies for approach, are NOT on your sectional chart.)

As you learn more, all of this stuff becomes intuitive (really!), and you
will find that much of what you currently find essential is actually
superfluous. But that comes with experience, so -- for now -- keep getting
all your ducks in a row before each flight.

Good luck!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:



1. Flight Service. In this age of pop-up TFRs, get a weather briefing
before each flight. While you're talking, ask about NOTAMs (Notices To
Airmen), because they'll tell you the little "surprise!" things (like a
runways that's closed for crack-sealing, that the airport manager forgot to
call in.). Don't forget to ask specifically about all TFRs.

Exactly, because these conversations are recorded so if they don't give
you the info on a TFR you are not responsible.



3. Your Sectional Chart will have most of the pertinent radio frequencies
for your flight. (Caution: Approach frequencies for center, and a lot of
the "oddball" frequencies for approach, are NOT on your sectional chart.)

For approach freq's do not use the sectional unless you have to. Use
the ATIS, it will always tell you what the approach freq will be. My
facility, like a lot of others, has more than one approach freq, nicely
written is this cute little pie chart. We never ever use more than one
approach freq. It is always 120.5. If we were to tell the FAA to
remove the other freq from the chart they would take that freq away from
us. We use it occasionally for emergencies, airshows or to BS with our
buddies. Couple times a day somebody calls in on the wrong one, very
clearly not paying attention to the ATIS.

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 20:48:39 -0600, Newps wrote:

For approach freq's do not use the sectional unless you have to. Use
the ATIS, it will always tell you what the approach freq will be.

It will? I guess I don't travel far enough afield to hear this. None
of the ATIS's I've listened to in Northern New England do more than
tell you the standard ATIS fare. Here's an example from a website of
a typical ATIS broadcast:

ATIS information identifier letter Information India
Time of Report 1755 Zulu
Wind Direction/Speed 260 at 15 gusting to 19
Visibility 6 miles, light snow
Ceiling 2,600 Scattered, 3,500 Overcast
Temperature -5
Dew Point -11
Altimeter 29.99
Instrument Approach and Runways in use ILS (Instrument Landing
System) runway 23 Left in use
Landing 23 Left, Departing 23 Right
Notices to Airmen
Taxiway/runway closures, lights, etc.
Runway 18 closed

I don't see any information regarding approach frequencies there, and
it's been my experience that you odn't find that information in ATIS.
But perhaps if I flew into busier airports once in a while?

Corky Scott

"Corky Scott" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 20:48:39 -0600, Newps wrote:

For approach freq's do not use the sectional unless you have to. Use
the ATIS, it will always tell you what the approach freq will be.

It will? I guess I don't travel far enough afield to hear this. None
of the ATIS's I've listened to in Northern New England do more than
tell you the standard ATIS fare. Here's an example from a website of
a typical ATIS broadcast:

ATIS information identifier letter Information India
Time of Report 1755 Zulu
Wind Direction/Speed 260 at 15 gusting to 19
Visibility 6 miles, light snow
Ceiling 2,600 Scattered, 3,500 Overcast
Temperature -5
Dew Point -11
Altimeter 29.99
Instrument Approach and Runways in use ILS (Instrument Landing
System) runway 23 Left in use
Landing 23 Left, Departing 23 Right
Notices to Airmen
Taxiway/runway closures, lights, etc.
Runway 18 closed

I don't see any information regarding approach frequencies there, and
it's been my experience that you odn't find that information in ATIS.
But perhaps if I flew into busier airports once in a while?

Corky Scott

I have heard approach freqs. announced quite frequently on ATIS in the
Midwest.

Corky Scott wrote in message . ..
On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 20:48:39 -0600, Newps wrote:

snip
I don't see any information regarding approach frequencies there, and
it's been my experience that you odn't find that information in ATIS.
But perhaps if I flew into busier airports once in a while?

Corky,

At airports where more than one approach frequency is used, they
usually include the info after the runway information on ATIS.
Something like :'

Arrivals from the north, contact approach on xxx.xx
Arrivals from the south, contact approach on xxx.xx


John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)