Periodic Rant: VFR entering Class D August '08 edition

[Jerricho]

(Idea shamelessly stolen from Cpl-Atc )

Right, I need to have a major moan about this one.

AIM 2.8.4 clearly states VFR flight entering Class D airspace must establish two-way communication with the appropriate ATC agency prior to entering the airspace. Some folk out there really need to learn how to:

A) Read a VTC regarding airspace boundaries and frequencies
B) Learn how to use a radio
C) Refresh themselves on AIM 2.8.4

[AOW]

AIM 2.8.4 clearly states VFR flight entering Class D airspace must establish two-way communication with the appropriate ATC agency prior to entering the airspace.

Now the way that I read that, "establishing two-way communication" doesn't necessarily mean being "cleared into the zone". For example, if you call up and say "Tower, ABC..." and they reply "ABC, Stand By", I have established two-way communication, so I may enter the zone. Only if I am specifically told "ABC, it's way to busy for another VFR in the zone, remain clear until advised otherwise", then I cannot enter the zone.

Is this how ATC understands the wording?

[Newwave]

Yes, so don't be surprised if you aren't answered sometimes haha

[killer84]

you aren't wrong to enter the zone after being told to standby.... but if the tower guy is busy as hell, and tells you to standby, do you really think it's in your best interest to "keep 'er comin' "?

[AOW]

do you really think it's in your best interest to "keep 'er comin' "?

No, I don't... this was purely a nit-picky, technical question. And I have had a few experiences where controllers have specifically instructed me to remain clear of the zone because they were just too busy to accommodate me.

[Jerricho]

Technically you certainly are correct, and 99 times out of 100 won't result in being told to remain clear.

However, maybe good airmanship would dictate that if one dialed up a Tower frequency and one couldn't get a word in, perhaps discretion could be employed. Just saying.