Avoid These 5 Common ATC Communication Mistakes

Confused and intimidated on the radio? You’re not alone—here’s how to sound more confident and avoid common errors.

Talking on the radio can be one of the most intimidating parts of flight training. Whether it’s your first solo or a cross-country to unfamiliar airspace, clear communication with Air Traffic Control is essential for safety and efficiency—but also a skill that takes practice.

The good news? Most of the issues student pilots run into are both common and easily corrected. Here are five of the most frequent mistakes, and how to avoid them.

Avoid these frequent communication mistakes.

1. Stepping on other transmissions

The mistake: Keying the mic without listening first, resulting in two people talking at once—cutting off both transmissions.

The fix: Listen before you transmit. If it’s not an emergency, it’s ok to slow down. Pause for 2–3 seconds after switching frequencies. If it’s quiet, it’s safe to speak. This habit also gives you time to collect your thoughts before transmitting.

Pro tip: Be mindful not to interrupt an exchange on frequency even if you hear a brief pause. For example, if ATC has assigned an aircraft a heading or altitude, you should expect the pilot to respond.

2. Using the wrong phraseology

The mistake: Saying things like “taking off” (which should be “departing”) or “I think I’m cleared to land?”

The fix: Stick to standard FAA phraseology. It keeps things clear and professional, and controllers know exactly what you mean (no one likes surprises). It also builds credibility—when you sound like you know what you’re doing and belong, you’re treated well.

Pro tip: Spend time listening to ATC communications using a handheld aviation radio or liveatc.net. You’ll pick up standard calls surprisingly fast just by hearing real-world exchanges.

3. Leaving out key information

The mistake: Forgetting your position, intentions, or aircraft type—especially at non-towered airports.

The fix: Use a simple 3-part formula:

• Who you are
• Where you are
• What you want

Example: “Scottsdale Tower, Cessna 723SP, 10 miles northeast inbound for a full stop landing with (ATIS ID).”

Pro tip: Before keying the mic, say your transmission out loud to yourself. It helps commit the structure to memory and avoids mid-sentence confusion.

4. Reading back instructions incorrectly (or not at all)

The mistake: Responding with just “roger” to a taxi or takeoff clearance—or reading back the wrong runway.

The fix: Always read back runway assignments, hold short instructions, and clearances verbatim. This confirms to ATC that you understood and prevents serious errors like runway incursions.

Pro tip: Write down taxi instructions and runway assignments as you receive them. Even experienced pilots jot down “22 / A / A3” or similar shorthand to stay accurate and clear.

5. Speaking too fast—or freezing up

The mistake: Speed-talking when nervous or saying nothing because you’re unsure what to say.

The fix: Take a breath and speak at a steady pace. If you’re unsure, it’s OK to ask ATC to repeat or clarify (they’re human too). They would rather repeat than fix a mistake.

Pro tip: Practice your most common calls (initial callup, position reports, taxi request) out loud when you’re not flying. And identify yourself as a student pilot as a queue to ATC to slow down and be patient.

Build Confidence One Call at a Time

Radio work doesn’t have to be stressful. Like any flying skill, it gets easier with practice. The key is preparation—knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it clearly.

For more in-depth tips, real-world examples, and practice scenarios, check out our VFR Communications course. It’s designed specifically for student pilots and helps you master the radio with confidence—before you ever key the mic.

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Eric Radtke

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.

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