Traffic In The Area Please Advise

My name is Ace, CFI, and this is my story. While climbing out of EKA enroute to CIC I started thinking about recent events. Could I really be going to Chico to conduct a BFR for Harrison Ford, the actor? I made several calls trying to find out. Eventually, I decided no way! But wait a minute, maybe this BFR had to be done on the QT, no leaks, no paparazzi! After checking in with the Chico FBO I noticed a DeHavilland Beaver on the ramp, and decided to take a closer look. I’ve seen the movie Six Days and Seven Nights, staring Harrison Ford. In that movie he was an air taxi operator, and used a Beaver just like this one.

Photo: Harrison found a great clearing for a simulated engine out.














After a short wait, a jet (Gulfstream G550) landed, and taxied up to the Beaver. The first person off the jet started walking towards me. He extended his hand, and said, I’m Harrison, you must be Ace. Looking over my shoulder, he said, I haven’t seen the old girl in months. I had her brought down from Canada so we could use it on my BFR. I’ll give her a good preflight, and then we can discuss our flight. As I watched him I could tell he was in his element.


We departed Chico to the south. Part of the BFR would include flying to small airports in the basin, and Sierra foothills. The com was set to 122.70, 122.80, or 122.90 as needed. The chatter, and squeal on the radio was horrific. Harrison said, sounds like a lot of planes out today, don’t you wish we had a better system for communicating? Yes, but we could make better use of the one we have. Some of the pilots are too long winded, using poor technique, or phraseology. During training, I make the point that safety is compromised when we have a situation like today. Bottom line, there's only so much air time.


We heard a call that ended with, “Any traffic in the area please advise.” Harrison, you don’t need to reply to that call. But Ace, he said, any traffic in the area please advise. I know, but there’s no conflict. That pilot said he was on a 3 mile final. It’s one less call to tie up the frequency. We’ve been using good judgment as to what to say, and when to say it, like our previous transition call. Your right, Harrison said, that was going to be a knee jerk response on my part. Harrison, what’s lacking is a satisfactory knowledge of how to self-announce a position or intention. Over the years I’ve heard pilots using the phrase, “Any traffic in the area, please advise.” I’m sure they would be surprised to find out it’s not recognized as being correct. We’ll review the four pages of the Airman’s Information Manual, “Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers,” when we get back to Chico.


AIM 4-1-9
g. Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions
1. General. Self-announce is a procedure whereby pilots broadcast their position or intended
flight activity or ground operation on the designated CTAF. This procedure is used primarily at airports which do not have an FSS on the airport. The self-announce procedure should also be used if a pilot is unable to communicate with the FSS on the designated CTAF. Pilots stating, “Traffic in the area, please advise” is not a recognized Self-Announce Position and/or Intention phrase and should not be used under any condition.

IF you like Ace's article, please leave a comment. With a little encouragement he'll make another low pass.