Alphabet soup

I've been reading about radio, navigation, and weather in Jeppesen Private Pilot. (I think Jeppesen has a basic helicopter book too, but this is the fixed wing book used in the class I went to.)

The use of acronyms in aviation is so pervasive, it's comical; sometimes when I'm trying to understand them all I just laugh out loud.

For example, when you talk to ATC, you do so with a VHF radio, often on the designated CTAF. Normally you'll be flying VFR, but you might be flying IFR, in which case you'll definitely want to take advantage of navigation aids, such as VORs, TRACONs, ARTCCs, and ASR facilities using ARTS equipment, which can provide an MSAW if requested. In high traffic areas, you'll want to use ATIS and FSS to stay informed, as well as your local A/FD and any relevant NOTAMs. If you do these things, and stick to FAR, chances are you won't ever have to activate your ELT and bring in SAR.

I actually bought a portable VHF radio the other night so I can listen to the planes flying into my nearby airport and begin learning to decode all this gobbledygook.

I'm behind schedule in my reading due to this other new book. The amount of information to cover is increasingly daunting: physics, mechanics, flight controls, navigation, weather, communications equipment and procedures, regulations, and on and on. How do I learn all this and how to fly in just six weeks?

I do have some exciting news, as well as a lot more to write about, but more on all that next time.

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Here's the translation, for those who are curious:

When you talk to Air Traffic Control, you do so with a Very High Frequency radio, often on the designated Common Traffic Advisory Frequency.

Normally you'll be flying [under] Visual Flight Rules, but you might be flying [under] Instrument Flight Rules, in which case you'll definitely want to take advantage of navigation aids such as Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range [systems], Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities, Air Route Traffic Control Centers, and Airport Surveillance Radar using Automated Radar Terminal System equipment, which can provide a Minimum Safe Altitude Warning if requested.

In high traffic areas, you'll want to use the Automatic Terminal Information Service and Flight Service Stations to stay informed, as well as your local Airport/Facility Directory and any relevant Notices to Airmen. If you do these things, and stick to Federal Aviation Regulations, chances are you won't ever have to activate your Emergency Location Transmitter and bring in Search and Rescue.