@Choccymilk Thanks for controlling! Overall, you did a nice job. However, I do have a couple of pointers for you:
When someone requests a runway change (or if you want them to switch runways), the first thing to do is to give them a pattern entry (enter downwind, base, or straight-in) for the new runway. Only after you’ve given them a pattern entry is when you clear them for the option/landing. In my specific case, the correct order of commands would’ve been, ”Enter right downwind runway 18R”, followed by “No 1, cleared for the option runway 18R, after the option, make [left/right] traffic”.
This same rule applies for aircraft that are arriving from other airports. For example, if I had departed from KATL and called inbound saying I wanted to land at KCLT, the first thing you should do is give me a pattern entry (“enter straight-in”, “enter base”, or “enter downwind”). Then after that, you can clear me for landing.
Second thing: for the “cleared for the option” command, you told me to “make right traffic” with every single clearance you gave. You should NOT say “make [left/right] traffic” after every single time you clear me for the option. In my specific case, you’d only use it if…
- It is the first time you’re clearing me for the option on that runway. (For instance, if I was doing patterns on 18C, but then decide to switch my runway to 18R. Since I’ve moved runways, you’ll need to tell me which direction I need to go once I takeoff again - left or right.)
- You want me to stop making right traffic and switch to left traffic, or vice versa.
This means that the only times you should have said “make [left/right] traffic” were:
- In the takeoff command,
- and the very first clearance you gave me for 18R.
That’s it. So all the other times you said “make [left/right] traffic” we’re not necessary.
I hope you found this helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or need clarification with anything. I’m always happy to help!
