When to acknowledge ATC

Gene Kearns wrote:
On Mon, 09 May 2005 02:08:34 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:

Let me jump in here with a confused expression.....

When they first created the alphabetic areas, I was taught that Class
B airspace required a specific clearance prior to entrance..... thus,
something like "N12345 cleared to enter Class B airspace" as opposed
to just "establishing" two-way communications as required in Class
C.... and just barging in.

That is correct (clearance req'd for B). Your example would be most
likely heard when VFR. If you're on an IFR clearance already, you
wouldn't need the VFR "magic words".


As for readbacks... As for VFR, I'd have to admit that I'm really
not
clear on the absolute requirements, though I tend to read back
everything that shouldn't be obvious or ambiguous....

Hold short instructions must be read back. Just about everything
else is optional (according to the absolute requirements).
Occasionally, I'll run across a controller that wants me to read back a
clearance and I'll certainly oblige, but there is no regulatory
requirement for me to have read it back when he gave it to me. When I
operated out of a class B primary airport, my clearance into class B
was usually tacked on to a paragraph of instructions on what I was
supposed to do once I was in the class B. Being a local, the whole
spiel was pretty standard and I usually just wilcoed the whole thing.
Given the usual lack of airtime on the class B approach freq., the
controllers were probably thankful that I didn't tie up their frequency
with a readback.

Basically, I just use my judgement when deciding what to readback.
Sometimes a complete readback is appropriate (even though not required)
and other times not.

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