Unicom: 12/05

Miles And Mics
In October’s Accident Probe, “Miles To Go,” you note, “The pilot was cleared for the ILS approach to Runway 5 at SPA and released to the local advisory frequency.” Oh goodie: Another frequency change from ATC at low altitude, low speed, in actual IMC at 10:00 p.m. Another dead pilot.

Controllers and the ATC system have been killing pilots for generations with frequency changes and clearance deliveries at the most awkward possible times.

Just as the nosewheel lifts off the pavement, they give me a frequency change. As the aircraft is handed off from one controller to another, the frequency should be handed off also. Let the controllers change frequencies. If th...