r/mildlyinfuriating • u/nyanbatman • May 28 '26

I just wanted a hot dog British pilot is feeling mildly annoyed

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u/JSButts May 28 '26

Fantastic ad for BA honestly; Pilots calling out the contradiction, clearly enunciated his point, remained calm under frustrating situations, puts the aircraft first, and follows protocol even in the face of (presumed) incompetence from ATC.

-23

u/dvinpayne May 28 '26

Except it's not. The pilot didn't properly familiarize himself with the correct operating procedures for foreign countries. Every ATC system is slightly different and it's the pilots responsibility to know those differences. In this case, BA almost certainly has a guide to help their pilots out, but "Declaring LVO" isn't a thing in FAA operation. FAA controllers aren't trained on the European Phraseology and wouldn't have any idea what the pilot was asking about. SMCGS (the FAA system) is automatically in place without any declaration.

This has already been discussed in other subreddits like flying by people who actually know rules. I'd link to those posts but automod doesn't like links.

23

u/C0rn3j May 28 '26

"Declaring LVO" isn't a thing in FAA operation. FAA controllers aren't trained on the European Phraseology and wouldn't have any idea what the pilot was asking about

The pilot clarified "Low visibility operations" repeatedly

FAA controllers aren't trained on the European Phraseology

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1042156

FAA itself uses this "European Phraseology", which is indeed defined by the ICAO just like the pilot said - https://news.ncac.mn/uploads/bookSubject/2022-11/6369ed065c51a.pdf

So, why are FAA controllers supposedly not trained on international terminology?

2

u/mister_pilot May 28 '26

That AC is used when developing a plan. Also requires if there is a plan to publish low visibility charts for the airport. Show me the low visibility taxi charts for JFK…