Approach Requests: PAST
I've seen a lot of instrument students struggle with making approach requests. They request something, then the controller requests clarification, and pretty soon you've spent 30 seconds playing ping-pong. An easy way to remember is PAST:
Place (airport name)
Approach (approach name)
Starting (IAF or VTF)
Terminating (full stop, circling, published missed, alternate)
If you do several approaches, you can write PAST in columns on your scribble pad or your chart briefing, then add a row for each one in sequence. No more ping pong or guessing if you'll get vectors or a different IAF than you put in the box. When you're planning a circling approach, be sure to mention that so the controllers can bake in extra time before the next inbound.
When you start flying for an operation where the goal is to go from A to B (e.g. an airline), the place and terminating are implied, so you can stick with the A and S.
Place (airport name)
Approach (approach name)
Starting (IAF or VTF)
Terminating (full stop, circling, published missed, alternate)
If you do several approaches, you can write PAST in columns on your scribble pad or your chart briefing, then add a row for each one in sequence. No more ping pong or guessing if you'll get vectors or a different IAF than you put in the box. When you're planning a circling approach, be sure to mention that so the controllers can bake in extra time before the next inbound.
When you start flying for an operation where the goal is to go from A to B (e.g. an airline), the place and terminating are implied, so you can stick with the A and S.