Honestly, a pilot told me my comms checks were too fast and it made me rethink my whole process

This was on a King Air 350 last month. I was doing my usual quick 'radio check, one two three' and the captain stopped me. He said, 'Slow down. I need to hear each number clearly, not just a blur.' I realized I was just going through the motions to get it done. Now I pause a full second between each number and enunciate. It feels weirdly slow, but he was right. How do you guys handle comms checks on different aircraft? Do you adjust your pace?

4 comments

4 Comments

hayden_craig953mo ago

So what's the actual standard then? Is there a book answer for the timing, or is it just whatever the guy in the left seat wants that day?

pat_moore3mo ago

That full second pause is longer than we use on the line.

ruby3103mo ago

A full second between numbers sounds like you're reading them to a sleepy toddler. @pat_moore has a point, that's way longer than standard line ops. Maybe the captain just needed extra time to write it down, old school with a crayon. My pace stays pretty much the same, just clear, but I guess if the guy signing the checks wants a dramatic pause, you give him the Shakespearean radio check.

juliarodriguez1mo ago

I used to think pat_moore was spot on about the one second pause being overkill, but my own experience on a Piper Navajo last year proved me wrong. I had a captain ask me to slow down on a radio check because he could barely catch the numbers between the engine noise. I realized it's less about a strict time and more about making sure the other person actually hears you, because a clear message beats a fast one every time.