Introduction to Flight Voice Communications One of the ways we add great realism to flight simulation is to use a popular voice communications client such as Teamspeak to be able to talk with other pilots while we are flying in a multiplayer environment. While adding a lot of depth to the simulation experience, this new skill can be a little hard to master at first. Especially when it sounds like so many others are doing things correctly, and you feel a pressure not to say the wrong things. Add to this, that you may be attempting to conquer the helicopter at the same time and well...things can get a little stressful to say the least. While there is no substitute for practice and experience. We will try to give you some clear information and examples of simple voice announcements that you might hear, and should try to use yourself when flying in the Hood River area. Remember with most of your radio calls, you'll be trying to convey the following information in each transmition: Who you are addressing. Example: "Hood River Traffic" Your Aicraft Type. Example: "Jet Ranger" or "Cessna" etc... Who you are. Example: "Two Three Six Bravo Lima" for callsign HC236BL Your Intentions. Example: "To join left downwind for Runway 7" All together now: "Hood River Traffic, JetRanger Two Three Six Bravo Lima to join left downwind for runway 7. Any conflicts? Two Three Six Bravo Lima". Recorded Examples (in MP3 format) For the Pattern and Approach related voice transmitions below, you may find the following diagram useful Hood River Facility and Pattern Diagram. Asking for a Radio Check Responding to a Radio Check Joining the Multiplayer Session Taxi to the Active Runway Departing on Runway 7 (Staying in Pattern) Departing on Runway 7 (Leaving Airfield area to the North) Joining Left Traffic for Runway 7 (Joining on Downwind Leg) Announcing a Landing Approach (While on the Downwind Leg) Announcing a Landing Approach (Starting the Base Leg) Announcing a Landing Approach (Starting Final Approach) Announcing a Landing Approach (Final Approach, Behind another Aircraft) Direct Departure from Helipad Direct Approach to Helipad Sometimes, there are many pilots trying to communicate intentions, and some abbreviation of the communications can be quite helpful and help keep the airwaves open. Its important to be clear, and get as much information to the other pilots as possible: Abbreviated Pattern Position (Turning Base Leg) Abbreviated Pattern Position (Final Approach)