With the wind?

It is an official term, in the pilot/controller glossary
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/PCG/U.HTM



UNABLE- Indicates inability to comply with a specific
instruction, request, or clearance.



"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
k.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:3n_Yf.8891$t22.4772@dukeread08...
|
| The PIC can always say UNABLE, a magic word to
controllers.
|
|
| How so?
|
|

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:NJ%Yf.8900$t22.5226@dukeread08...

It is an official term, in the pilot/controller glossary
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/PCG/U.HTM

UNABLE- Indicates inability to comply with a specific
instruction, request, or clearance.


That makes it a magic word?

Because ATC can't question you further, you've stated that
you are UNABLE to do whatever it is that they wanted, such
as a turn into a thunderstorm, or a land and hold short. No
need to argue, just say unable and then tell them what you
can do... saves a lot of time.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
ink.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:NJ%Yf.8900$t22.5226@dukeread08...
|
| It is an official term, in the pilot/controller glossary
| http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/PCG/U.HTM
|
| UNABLE- Indicates inability to comply with a specific
| instruction, request, or clearance.
|
|
| That makes it a magic word?
|
|

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:ja8Zf.9077$t22.4360@dukeread08...

Because ATC can't question you further, you've stated that
you are UNABLE to do whatever it is that they wanted, such
as a turn into a thunderstorm, or a land and hold short. No
need to argue, just say unable and then tell them what you
can do... saves a lot of time.


Well, just saying UNABLE doesn't magically tell them what you intend to do.

No, but it puts them on the "what do you want to do" rather
than the do as I say.



"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
k.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:ja8Zf.9077$t22.4360@dukeread08...
|
| Because ATC can't question you further, you've stated
that
| you are UNABLE to do whatever it is that they wanted,
such
| as a turn into a thunderstorm, or a land and hold short.
No
| need to argue, just say unable and then tell them what
you
| can do... saves a lot of time.
|
|
| Well, just saying UNABLE doesn't magically tell them what
you intend to do.
|
|

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:dKcZf.9737$t22.1840@dukeread08...

No, but it puts them on the "what do you want to do" rather
than the do as I say.


That appears to be a question. You said that ATC can't question you
further, once you've stated that you are UNABLE to do whatever it is that
they wanted.

I think you're just having fun being difficult. ATC will
assign what is easiest for ATC. Any pilot can refuse any
clearance. A simple UNABLE is the end of ATCs option to
continue to issue that clearance. Any PIC should have the
sense to offer an option of what he wants to do, what he is
able to do.

It could be equipment, weather, operating limitations, but
saying UNABLE is clearly understood. No further reason or
explanation is required.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
nk.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:dKcZf.9737$t22.1840@dukeread08...
|
| No, but it puts them on the "what do you want to do"
rather
| than the do as I say.
|
|
| That appears to be a question. You said that ATC can't
question you
| further, once you've stated that you are UNABLE to do
whatever it is that
| they wanted.
|
|

That makes it a magic word?

It's a metaphor.

Jose
--
Nothing takes longer than a shortcut.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Jose" wrote in message
. ..

It's a metaphor.


A metaphor that the user needs to explain.

A metaphor that the user needs to explain.

"Magic words" (real ones, which btw do not exist) are words which, when
uttered, do things that are beyond the laws of physics. They are
incantations of, well, magic. Simply saying the magic words cause
things to happen which ordinarily could not take place.

"Please" and "thank you" are metaphorically "magic words" because by
using those words, people respond differently than when the same
situation is presented, but without these words. They are (of course)
not =really= magical and do not invoke the other world, but because they
are powerful social lubricants, they have been given this metaphorical
moniker.

"Mayday" and "this is an emergency" are also words which elicit a
powerful response when otherwise such a response would not be
forthcoming. While they do not have the power of actual magical
incantations (and thus cannot put fuel in your tank) they will in
general garner much more assistance than would normally be gotten
without them.

"Unable" is similar in this respect. By conveying that the requested
action is not just inconvenient, but either unsafe or impossible, the
other party is more likely to try to find a workaround, if it is possible.

As with all incantations, metaphorical or otherwise, abuse leads to the
wrath of the Dark Side, which may be vented on those later to come.
Therefore, these magic words should be used with care. But they do have
a powerful effect, even if it is not truely magical.

Controllers can use these words too. "Request straight in to runway 5"
(runway 5 is full of men and machines, seventy parked cars, and a large
tent). "Unable runway 5, I can give you left base to runway 35. Report
three miles."

Generally however it is the pilots who will have the more stringent
operations requirements, and will be more likely to use magic words.

Jose
--
Nothing takes longer than a shortcut.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.