Q: Air traffic control (ATC) tells you to do something you’re not comfortable with. Do you comply anyway, because it’s ATC, or do you say “unable”?
A: A recent survey asked this question. A full 97.5 percent of respondents said they would say “unable.” Yet, 2.5 percent said “comply” because the request came from ATC. This is for you student pilots in training, and you two-and-a-half-percenters:
ATC is there for you. Sometimes we must work with ATC such as flying IFR or in B, C, or D airspace, but other times it is optional to work with ATC. Regardless of your reason for working with ATC, you must comply with their clearances and instructions. However, ATC is not in the aircraft with you. If you are receiving VFR flight following and the controller gives you a heading that will take you into clouds, say “unable” and give a short reason why. If the controller issues a descent clearance that would place you a little too close to the ground, say “unable.” If the controller issues a climb instruction that would take you into an overcast, say “unable.” If the controller clears you to land and hold short in a distance unsafe for what you are flying, say “unable.”
You get the picture. If ATC gives you any clearance or instruction that makes you uncomfortable, is unsafe in your opinion, or would cause you to violate regulations, open your mouth, key the microphone, and tell them. ATC would then have to give you an alternative. Don’t ever place yourself, your passengers, or your aircraft in jeopardy just because ATC told you to.
Remember, FAR 91.3 states that the pilot in command is responsible for, as is the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft. Exercise your PIC authority when needed.
Craig Brown is a senior aviation technical specialist in the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
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