Scarier Than A Mountaintop Landing... 

You did just fine ! We aren’t that scary 🤗🤗 PS. That’s me on the other end !

You talk at the start about the others you fly with also being apprehensive about flying in controlled airspace and talking on radios, so you steer clear. This means as time goes on your saturation point will become lower. Why not go out with one of these friends in the same aircraft and take turns - one flies, the other works the radios, then switch. You’re comfort level will increase quickly when you’re only concentrating on one thing, whether that be flying the aircraft or dealing with the radio. Eventually you’ll get your groove back.

I imagine it’s kind of like driving on the freeway being surrounded by cops. You have no reason to be nervous, but you are.

When he says “radar contact I see you at 1,600” You say “ that’s a big 10 4 good buddy, rolling on strong at 16 lookin for some open black top to set this rig down on breaker breaker”

The tower is so professional...you know they were thinking how awesome it was to have the Freedom Fox at their airport!!!

Your only radio call that made me smirk was reading back, “winds calm” on takeoff. Good work getting out of your comfort zone, Trent!

Airline pilot here. You did great, sounded like you knew what you were doing and the nerves didn’t come across on the radio. Nothing to be nervous about, when I’m flying around and hear you guys on the radio I’m jealous that you’re out having fun while I’m working. Love your videos.

Tower: "Say intentions" Me: "Well I hope to have private pilot training done in about a month, then I want to start on my Instrument rating, maybe one day CFI"

When I was learning how to fly I had more anxiety talking to the tower than actually flying.

Talking to ONE CONTROLLER - panic. Talking to a quarter million RU-vid viewers, - no problem.

When I was a student pilot in the late 70's, my instructor told me all you ever have to do is tell ATC who you are, where you are and what you want to do. It's never failed. You DON"T have to sound like a line captain. BTW.... you did GREAT.

LOL, You did great man. Talking on the radio was probably the most intimidating part of flight training for me. Flying in Socal busy airspace you've got no choice but to talk someone over the radio while your right hand is constantly pushing buttons to change frequencies. Intimidating at first but you learn to pick things up in no time.

Love it Trent....the honesty and transparency around being nervous talking on the radios and how you captured that. Many people should be able to relate to this. I fly in and out of the busy DFW Bravo airspace and come across pilots all the time that are uncomfortable or intimidated on the radios. You did a great job showing this "live". Great work on this video!

As someone who flies out of Charlie's and Delta's all the time, you did fine! responding "affirm" is your best friend :)

I was a cop for 20 years. When I first started I felt the same anxiety when talking to my dispatcher. I was afraid I wouldn't understand her, then look stupid to others with a panicked reply. It all went away when my FTO told me to slow down and think before I spoke. The extra second or two is not an issue. The anxiety at times, was almost crippling; I hated talking on the radio. I was originally taught to "get on and off" the radio; making transmissions quick but, until I got comfortable, I had to slow down.

Very enjoyable! I just blew through 2,700 hrs, since taking my 1st flight lesson on my 65th birthday 9.5 years ago--and have never spoken to a controller, ever! You're making me want to go do it!

The most important things a pilot needs to know when they are in the air are the next 3 things. If you can anticipate the calls and handoffs it makes it easier and you are less tense. And you did a great job, having not done it in a while.

I learned in class C, but now days, flying 99.9% in the backcountry/off-airport etc. I feel the exact same way. Much rather face a short landing on a hill than deal with ATC.... lol.... funny how that works. I force myself to do the same thing you did now and then and it does help.... but it also gives me a headache and high blood pressure and I'm sure shaves my life expectancy down a bit!

Trent, as a 29 year retired air traffic controller and a private pilot since 1983, don’t worry about “clogging things up!” The controller will tell you if they are “unable” your request just as she did when you asked for a stop and go. I told all my ATC students when they were learning and getting exasperated, “We are here for them, they are not here for us!’ Good work learning!

“I might be a little rusty with towers so I’m going to fly into one.” *chooses a busy class C airspace*

The guys in the Alaska Airlines plane are probably saying holy crap its Trent Palmer !!!!!!

Reminds me when I first started to call in air strikes and artillery.

"I'm at six thousand eight hundred"..."We've got you at sixteen hundred.".."Yep, that sounds about right." lol

As an air traffic controller I can tell you for sure that you did fine. I completely understand being nervous, I was super nervous early on flying in controlled airspace too. Make sure to remember that the people on the other end are humans too and most of us want to serve you as the customer and help you get what you want. You did great, nothing to worry about.

As a young pilot who flew in towered airspace only twice, it makes me feel less alone when I see someone with a lot of flying experience like you feel uncomfortable in controlled airspace. So thanks for that ! (also english isn't my main language so sorry if i did any mistakes)

I’m literally sitting in science class day dreaming of flying... sees Trent posts a video!!!

Back when I was a student pilot on class B KLAX Airspace I used to get really nervous like that. I flew through the active Dodger Stadium TFR and was asked to call a number on landing. That was the scariest day of the year!

Every controller I know is more than happy to do a tower or center tour and help with anything you have questions about. Also flying with an instructor or getting a radio and just sit near an airport and listen or tune to departure, center, and arrival freqs. But I think the best would be to find an instructor or friend to fly with you who has more experience with BCD airspace and can talk you through it. Practice is the name of our game

As someone who did all of their flight training in class D and C airspace, ATC wasn’t ever something that scared me. It gets much easier the more you work with them, and 90% of controllers are nice people. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because mistakes are how we learn! And just remember, controllers are humans just like you. As always, love the videos Trent. Hope to someday see the Freedom Fox in person.

You're doing just fine. Everyone gets intimidated flying in and out of controlled airports. I fly out of one under the Bravo curtain. I'm so used to talking to tower that I get intimidated in uncontrolled airports. Great video though and I'm glad you made it. There's been a great push recently for pilots to share their mistakes and weaknesses and I love it. We're human and not perfect, but as pilots we all try to make people think we are. Thank you for sharing this.

Dude I completely understand your anxiety 100% man. That shit stresses me out just watching videos of people doing it.

Being an airline pilot we all do it. A lot of Class B have their own “lingo” and procedures so even we get tripped up sometimes when flying to unfamiliar Bravos. LOL @ requesting “stop & go” - DENIED 🙅‍♂️

I chuckled through the whole video. I fly out of Chino’s Towered airport and experience all that you demonstrated. It gets seriously more challenging when the operators are speeding up their communications because they have a lot of traffic. Sometimes I have difficulty just getting in touch with them as they are so busy with other traffic. Sometimes a 360 turn is the only way to avoid their space as you wait your turn on the radio. I think you handled it well. Im looking forward to some off airport stuff after 130 hours in my Kitfox now.

It takes a real pilot to show a video like this. My favorite one so far!

I’m very impressed you suit up and do what’s uncomfortable, and bring us with you. You did great!

Solid. At least you didn’t say “with you” or “ahhhhh...”. If you’re concerned about wake turbulence there is no penalty for waiting an extra 1-2 minutes. Good vid thanks!

Trent, pilot edge is a great tool to practice communicating with ATC efficiently and effectively. Im a student pilot and its helped me gain confidence without leaving my house.

I love this video. Simple, humble vulnerability that is useful to anyone learning to fly. Thanks for sharing and your honest approach to sharing your experience. :)

I don't even fly, but I can see where I would rather land anywhere but someplace that crowded

Always a good day when a TP video posts. Enjoy your content greatly.

One of the coolest things about aviation is that there’s always another challenge if you want it.

Hey Trent, I learned in a Class C towered airport, John Wayne in Orange County. Sometimes, you can reply with your N# (last three if already been talking to them). After you have repeated your instructions and they give you more information, sometimes just before landing, you can respond with your last three to acknowledged the transmission. We live in super crowded airspace and sometimes have to wait to talk to SoCal Approach because they are so busy. And sometimes we are #3 following others and landing parallel to large aircraft. (There is a different tower radio for each runway) Good practice though! Glad to see you doing it. I remember how daunting it was to work the radio as a student and doing all the solo cross countries in the busy airspace. And I am still working on my tailwheel endorsement but have no plans for landing on mountain tops! Will start with big open deserts...

A kindred spirit. By far the most difficult part of getting my pilot certificate was ... understanding what ATC [and other airplanes] are saying over the radio. And even when I could, to figure out what they mean or want is sometimes difficult or impossible. Great to hear Trent avoids ATC and controlled airspace as diligently as I do! Hahaha. BTW Trent, here is a free (sleazy) tip. When you first contact ATC (especially at a busy airport), tell ATC you're a student pilot. That sometimes helps a fair bit.

I've always been nervous about getting my PL because of having to talk to ATC. Thanks for sharing that some experienced pilots even get nervous.

A friend once pointed out that everything I wanted in life was on the other side of my comfort zone! I think about that often and push myself to get there and claim my prize. You did that here!

Great video! One of my first times in controlled airspace, tower said right turn-out approved, thought he was saying right turn-not approved. Turned into a Laurel and Hardy skit ending with an upset tower saying, you’re cleared out of “my” airspace. Fun day!

"Argh, I didn't say my tail number again!" - at least you didn't refer to them as your home airfield. Twice...

Probably the most honest aviation video I’ve ever watched. Great job!

I was an Air Traffic Controller for the Army, and being based under the 2000 ft shelf of the Houston class B airspace, I am constantly talkint to ATC in some way. I still stumble on my words. I get flight following 90% of the time I fly, and I can tell you, even the commercial pilots mess it up.

That was a little awkward. 😎 I'm your polar opposite. I learned to fly out of Chicago Midway and had to deal with ATC and commercial airline traffic from day one. Intimidating, but by the time I soloed, no big deal. Bush landing? Never. 😄

Hey Trent! Im a Approach contoller and most pilots say "position checks" when we radar contact them if that helps. but I don't think there's set phraseology for that and I think your transmissions sounded great 👍

Repatician, nervousness GONE. Piece of cake!

My bonafides: Commercial/Instrument, trained at OPF in the '60s when it was the busiest airport in the world. 30 years in ATC, 25 of them in Chicago. I confess I was a center controller, but from our side, the rules/comms are exactly the same, center or tower. Here are a couple of observations: Don't get hung up on saying your callsign. When you're engaged in a series of transmissions which are obviously between you and the controller, it's patently apparent who you are. There is no need to engage in a rogering contest using your callsign on each transmission. It's also not necessary to read back EVERYthing. "318JJ, wind calm, runway 16R, cleared for takeoff," really only needs the read back on cleared to go, and frankly, in that specific instance, your accelerated movement onto the runway and down it is a pretty good substitute for a verbal readback. Although I've been retired a long time (22 years today), I've been nauseated by the increase in the use of the nauseaatingly Hollywood terms of "roger that", and "copy that". Every "roger" (the approved phraseology) is an implicit acknowledgement of "that". And I don't recall seeing "copy" as a synonym to "roger" anywhere in the ATP (our procedures manual). Nothing is improved by adding "that". I'm sure I'm an increasingly minority opinion as I'm hearing it more and more even on the controller side. Doesn't mean I'm wrong. Just keep in mind that what a controller wants to hear on initial call up is "who am I, where am I, what do I want to do?" The rest is conversation. You ask, I respond. And no one in ATC, especially in the towers, is out to write up a pilot for poor phraseology. I say "especially in the towers" because that's where the lowest common denominator of flying experience is found. In the center, 99% of the users are instrument rated, which implies an advanced level of training and experience. At the towers, there are a lot of FLIB drivers with wet licenses. As a controller, we want to treat them equally. Sometimes that's beyond their competence level, but it doesn't take a lot to better the experience. Also keep in mind that a lot of controllers are also pilots.

"Affirm" is my best friend when flying through Bravo and Charlie.

Now I know why my plane was late taking off from RNO, it was because Trent was out there playing around. I love Northern Nevada.

Hi Trent, I enjoy your videos! I fly an Airbus at work and a drone for fun...... 😉 If it makes you feel any better I’ve heard much worse so called”awkwardness” by actual airline pilots on the radio. You are doing fine radio work and all it really comes down to is familiarity. Sometimes just responding with your call sign (letting them know you’ve heard) them is all that is really needed especially in situations where there’s no proper response)Keep up the great work sir!

I was sweating while you did this. Its hard to believe how a simple thing like this is so stressful. Wow.

The most stressful part of my training. Thanks for taking me back there. (Stress level 10.) 😂🤣 Great job!!

Nicely done! “Position and altitude checks” is what I say... or sometimes just roger

You have as much right to be there and do what you want as any other aircraft! Don’t feel rushed, do what you need to do! It takes PRACTICE! You did well Trent!

Trent what helps me is I try to own it and sound like the coolest most important Pilot out there like I am flying Air Force One and you're all jealous!! My friends get a big kick out of it when they hear me on the Radio!!

One of my first flights back into towered airspace after a 13 year break in flying I circled outside the delta for about 20 minutes trying to get the courage up to make the initial radio call lol

One of my favorite vids so far. Really enjoyed this one.

I feel so much better knowing you hate and struggle with controlled air space and tower talk. It’s the one and only reason I haven’t got my pilot license yet. Love what you do, keep up the great work!!

We're neighbors, I 4wheel near your runway all the time

I'm a simple man... I see a Trent Palmer video, I press like.

Hey Trent. Airline guy and RV4 owner here at KLHM. Thought you did really well! I operate in that environment every day, all over the world. Still make plenty of mistakes!! Many of the controllers are also pilots, so they get it. It is intimidating, but I try to encourage my buddies to do what you did. One of the hardest things is just taxing around these big airports. We recommend reviewing the taxi diagram ahead of time and have a plan for when you’re clear of the runway. See you on the radio!!

Trent you need to do this a little more often, it may come in handy some day when you need it! that way you are comfortable doing it.... do it enough it becomes second nature! use it or lose it! aside from that its the etiquette of proper flying not just the remote bush pilots or uncontrolled airspace way of doing things

„Ready for take-off“ 😱 One of the main factors of the Tenerife accident and the reason why the changed the phrase. Loving the video though. Keep it up!

I feel ya. My first time into John C Tune in Nashville TN, I called Nashville approach and just said "I just wanted to let you know I was here" I had no clue. LOL ~jd

That's precisely the way I would feel too Trent; nice to know I'm not alone.

Really enjoyed this video Trent! More like this! Have a great christmas

"Position checks" instead of "sounds correct." Or you could have even just said your abbreviated callsign alone as an acknowledgement. The important thing is to read back instructions. Additional info can be acknowledged with your callsign or "Roger, [callsign]".

Great Video, but at 11:06 something really important (at least in europe): Only use "takeoff" to confirm your takeoff clearance! In your case "ready for departure" or "ready" would be correct. Reason for this is the accident at Tenerife. Just thought you might wanna know. :)

Great Job Trent!

Thank you for the video, Trent!

Having soloed at KRNO was definitely an experience... it was always interesting when the controller would put ya on 25/7 while sequencing the 737's on the perpendicular

The only mistake I really caught was ready for takeoff call. Only the tower says takeoff . We as pilots tell them we are ready for departure or ready in sequence. But still no big deal don't beat yourself up brother. Keep doing what you're doing and believe me it'll get easier and more automatic.

Dude, I love your videos... this might be your best one yet. Very cool to watch your honesty.

This was great. Thanks, Trent.

Try going in controlled airspace every so often, you'll see how much easier it gets. ATC is there to help you, if you need to wait before departure just ask for it! Great job Trent!

I share the same struggles, I own and fly a Mooney and most places that my wife and I go, I try to avoid towers if possible. I'm based at an uncontrolled field as well. You actually sound seasoned on the radio compared to most pilots I hear while on frequency. Rock on man!

lol, I learned in a class D, so I get freaked out when there is no tower

Great Job Trent! There's always that observer like me that enjoyed watching you challenging the fears we were born with. Awesome and keep the videos coming !!

Didnt know a kitfox came with a "hot seat", lol.....

I’m glad I’m not the only one that gets befuddled in CT airports

Hi, Trent! As a pilot (no longer flying due to age and finances)-I learned at towered airports and in controlled airspace, but would be intimidated by your landings in places that I would never consider. Practice makes perfect...try going more to towered airports, just follow the basics of what to say (where you are, what information you have, and what you want to do), and all will be fine. Don’t be freaked by the pace or cadence of ATC, they’ve just done it thousands of times, and you have not (yet). Good experience to have, as it ain’t goin’ to get any less congested in the coming years! Relax and have fun!

I enjoyed your video. I am a firefighter who spends every summer in California fighting fires with the National Guard as a crew member. I think it is great/amazing that you are willing to create a video demonstrating ones insecurities. EVERYONE has felt what you felt on this video. It is great to share. .

Well Trent, I'm a professional controller and I don't sound any better when I talk to a VFR controller.

When Nor Cal states your position, all you need to say back is “position checks” if what he said matches your position. Keep it short and simple!

Fantastic, thanks for sharing this.

Got my license well before 9/11 so was able to visit several control towers to just hang around and listen to the chatter. Also had a great tower tape from Oshkosh that helped understand how to communicate. Always found controller folks to be very patient and courteous.

You’re what we call “HUMAN” lol. We’re ALL much more similar than we are different. Cool video man, and humbling in a way that we get to realize that we ALL have those feelings when doing something new or something that we don’t often with muscle memory. Thx for taking us along! Scott

Kudos for stepping out of your comfort zone.Just takes practice.

Awesome, perfect timing. Everything you felt I’ve felt and I’m just glad I’m not alone. Terrific thank you.

Love the transparency of this Trent! I know so many people can relate to these intimidations whether their egos are willing to admit it or not.

I started my flight lessons at a towered airport to get used to talking with ATC. Makes it much easier to get comfortable with it.

Wow this was really really interesting and valuable. As someone who wants to get into flying - for me the whole ATC was in a box called 'someday I'll get to that, for now it's just polishing my flight control skills'. And this opened whole another level of understanding - that there is a world without ATC. I never knew it even existed :) Also was fun and entertaining to watch. Denied 'stop n go' - lol :)

Thank you for posting this video man! New to the channel and loving your content. I'm currently flying to get my private pilot's license in San Diego, CA. I'm saying thanks cause this video made me feel a lot better about my radio calls! It feels like I'm always in controlled airspaces or flying to controlled airports and feel the exact same way that you were explaining! Great stuff!

Awesome video Trent. Do more of these, they are very educational.