Hello ATC Team,
I would like to provide some feedback regarding the ATC communications and the phraseology used in Infinite Flight. I understand that consistency is important, but I believe there’s a contradiction in how certain phrases are interpreted by controllers, and this can be quite frustrating for pilots.
Here’s the issue:
When a pilot says “Inbound on the ILS runway XX, it seems understood as the correct phrase to request landing clearance. However, when the pilot then says On final runway XX, which, in essence, is the same meaning (we’re on the final approach), controllers sometimes respond by saying, “You’re already cleared to land, avoid sending unnecessary reports. This suggests that “On final” is not actually incorrect and communicates the same thing.
This creates a contradiction. If On final is considered incorrect, why is it that after stating Inbound on the ILS, repeating On final is seen as unnecessary, and yet still acknowledged as valid information?
What I’m pointing out here reflects real-world aviation communication, where pilots and controllers adapt their terminology based on context. In real-life scenarios, flexibility in phraseology is crucial for effective communication, as both “Inbound” and “On final” essentially convey the same message. The focus on strictly adhering to one phrase in Infinite Flight, therefore, may limit communication efficiency and create unnecessary confusion.
As someone without real-life ATC experience, I do recognize the importance of using clear and precise terminology, but the reality is that, in practice, both phrases communicate the same thing. I feel that the strict adherence to certain phrases, without considering the context, might hinder more efficient communication and frustrate pilots who are simply trying to follow the procedure.
I hope you’ll take this feedback into account and consider a more flexible approach when evaluating phraseology, as the current guidelines seem a bit contradictory in practice.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Correction ! In this text, I wanted to say specifically that : just to clarify, my concern is not about reporting position after already being cleared to land. My main point is about using “on final” as the initial call to request landing clearance. Some controllers seem to accept it, while others reject it and request “Inbound on ILS” instead. This inconsistency creates confusion because pilots don’t know what to expect. If “on final” is not an acceptable initial call, then there should be a clear guideline stating that. But if it is valid, all controllers should accept it consistently. Mistake of my Part
