Chatting with ATC
At the July KSBP IMC Club meeting on 7.3.2026, we spoke with Dylan and Michael from the San Luis Obispo control tower to find out how we can help them help us. Here are some of the tips and tricks that they shared:
ASK FIRST, TAXI AFTER
Flight following requests and IFR clearances should be picked up BEFORE taxiing. Treat our airspace as if it were a class Charlie; clearance and codes should be acquired before ground control issues a taxi clearance.
ORDER INFO PROPERLY
The equipment in our tower is quite old, and requires information to be entered in a specific sequence. When requesting flight following, provide your information in this order:
Tail Number
Destination
Aircraft Type
Intended altitude
Following this sequence helps controllers enter your request more efficiently.
DON’T DILLY-DALLY
When you're cleared to cross a runway or instructed to line up and wait, get the lead out. Start rolling as you read back the clearance rather than waiting until you've finished your transmission to move.
Our controllers also reminded us that there are several services they cannot proactively offer but are happy to approve when pilots request them:
VFR CLIMB
Did you know that you can climb VFR to a fix on an IFR flight? This procedure was developed for mountainous areas so general aviation aircraft with modest climb performance don’t have to fly miles out of the way on VFR days. As long as you can remain in visual meteorological conditions, you may navigate VFR to a designated fix. Once you reach your assigned altitude, you transition to IFR. This can be an excellent way to avoid the climb to CREPE when departing eastbound on an IFR flight plan. A request for a VFR climb must be made as part of your initial clearance request.
SPECIAL VFR
ATC cannot suggest or offer a Special VFR clearance, but they can approve one when you request it and weather and traffic conditions permit.
REQUESTING THE OPTION
Planning to stay in the pattern and want the flexibility to perform a full-stop, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, low approach, or go-around? Request the option. Controllers cannot assign it on their own, but they're happy to approve it when we ask and it is operationally feasible.
PRACTICE APPROACHES
Planning to fly multiple approaches in IMC? Consider filing KSBP–MQO–KSBP and let the tower know your intentions. Filing this way allows our ATC to coordinate with Santa Barbara Approach to better accommodate your training.
Our discussion with Dylan and Michael served as a reminder of how fortunate we are to have such a professional and collaborative ATC team at SBP. We're all human, and everyone makes mistakes from time to time. But when pilots and controllers work together and communicate effectively, we make the system safer and more efficient for everyone.
