Webinar Video: Ask an Air Traffic Controller with Roland Ratliff, Cincinnati Approach
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It’s not uncommon for pilots to have some fear of interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) often concerned with making a mistake or of being judged by others on frequency. Not only is that the wrong attitude, but it can also deprive you of valuable services and even compromise safety. Controllers are humans just like pilots, and they’re actually there to help.
Quality Control Support Manager, Roland Ratliff, from Cincinnati Approach Control discusses what controllers expect from pilots, plus some tips for your next request to ATC.
It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)
- Sporty’s Launches 2026 Learn to Fly Course with Advanced AI Tools and New Flight Maneuver Training - October 22, 2025
- Sporty’s Most Frequently Missed Test Questions—Summer 2025 - September 26, 2025
- Webinar: Pilot Hiring Trends and Insights with James Onieal - September 19, 2025
