On Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:42:54 -0400, Gordy wrote:

The bottom line, do not let ATC intimidate you. If you are
not sure of something, ask for clarification. If the controller is having
a bad day because you are trying to do things by the book, he will get
over it. Controllers are our friends.

I erred in contacting Cape Approach (while airborne) for a clearance
recently. The controller - correctly - directed me to the CD frequency.
I should have known better.

He was reasonably friendly about it, explaining that he didn't have time
to read a clearance. That was far more than I needed; just the reminder
to contact CD would have been enough.

It's absolutely true that - with a few exceptions - ATC really is
there to help. It's a shame that some pilots never get as comfortable
dealing with ATC as they could be.

I'll even get flight following for maneuver practice in our local practice
area. Why doesn't everyone; it's just an extra pair of eyes and there's
no extra charge (at least for now {8^) ?

- Andrew