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.

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.

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

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

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”

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.

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

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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 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!

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

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

I can't thank you enough for being so honest and making a video like this, Trent. I used to get so mad at myself during my training. I'd have no problem on the radio in the pattern at my little non-towered airport, but as soon as I was talking with ATC, I would stumble over my words. It's always been and remains to be the most difficult part for me. It is very encouraging and inspiring to learn that such a skilled pilot as yourself has similar experiences. For only 4 times into class C, you sounded great! I haven't flown into a towered airport in some years, but you've inspired me to venture back in soon. Love your videos man, keep up the great work.

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. .

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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...

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!

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

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

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 👍

Dude this is great. I'd say it's refreshing to know I'm not the only one who gets flustered or feels overwhelmed with controlled airspace... thanks for being vulnerable and willing to show the not-so-cool but human side of flying. I think that is what is so awesome about Aviation is you should always be getting better and learning.

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!

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

It's nice to see someone that I see as experienced in flying having some anxieties and experiencing these "newbie" moments with you is very awesome. I look forward to the day I have the time available to dedicate to such a wonderful hobby of freedom. Keep em coming Trent! Ps. The house came out great!

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

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

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

I actually LOVED this. I’m not a pilot but am fascinated by it all and loved this. Truly.

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

„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!

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.

Hats of to ya, great job and you unashamedly hung it all out there for all to see and hear. Thank you so much for being human. ❤🇺🇸❤

I love all your videos Trent but this is one of your top ones. It was a very honest insight into your life as an airman. Thanks for sharing.

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. 😄

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

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!

Great video,,,, and when you get out of your comfort zone,,,,, you become more comfortable! Thanks for taking us along!

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

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. :)

Trent, great idea for a video. We all have our things we are used to. Thanks for reminding us that we are all learning, all the time.

Fun to watch, speaking as a CFI, CFI-I, MEI, ATP, four type ratings, and current major airline pilot. You did better than you felt like you did. A little unrefined, but clear, concise, and aware. Well done, bro!

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!!

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

Thank you for showing a weaker side... I have always choked up with radios and it was great hearing you fight through that "fear".

Student pilot here, totally agree about the tower/radio stuff. When I went on the first solo I wrote down the ground and tower calls on the kneeboard and repeated it out loud what felt like a million times while taxiing down alpha. Just takes practice, I'm not there yet but after more radio interactions I'm a little more comfortable. You did way better than me man, at least you calmly play off the hiccups instead of freezing.

"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]".

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!

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 🙅‍♂️

Just doing a YT scroll and lucked into this great video...interesting, charming and full of humility...this guy would make a wonderful teacher.

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

When you are told about traffic near you, there are only two responses necessary. "Traffic in sight" or "negative contact". Don't overthink it. Don't say looking for traffic. When departing behind a larger aircraft, you can tell the tower that you will offset 100 yards (left or right) for wake turbulence, then when departing once airborne, go ahead and offset but still fly runway heading. I have never had them deny this request.

I’ve been flying for about 25 years. I had the same problem being uncomfortable using the Radio going into controlled airports. Just like doing STOL Landings, it takes practice, practice, practice. That was an excellent video!

I did all my training in Class B airspace as a private pilot. I feel very similar about non-controlled airspace. I suppose it's what you're used to. I didn't like flying with a CTAF at all. It is great to get out of that comfort zone and do new things. Thank you for sharing.

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!

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

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.

Thanks for sharing this. You are not alone (at all) with your apprehensions.

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

I completely understand! Firstly, you did fine so don't stress. I learnt to fly in Scotland and the freedom of flight you have up there is incredible. I now fly in southern France and its insane how controlled it is. You never feel relexed. Always planning ahead your frequency changes, calls, atis, and looking out for a lot of traffic. I miss Scotland 😩

It is cool watching pilots struggle. Im in heli-flight school right now at a towered airport so its nice to see that its not just me

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

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

Thanks for your honesty, it's refreshing, and opening to what so many are uncomfortable to admit, it helps you too I'm sure👍

As a member of the 'not a pilot yet' crowd I can so empathize with the intimidation of the radio and thank you so much for sharing this. It's actually comforting to see others do what I might also do in similar situations. It's actually encouragement to be better on the radio, at least for me. Thank you for sharing.