Cross-Country Flight to Memphis (MEM) from 3SQ

Flying to Memphis International Airport (MEM) was my first experience arriving at and departing from a Class B airport. It took 2.35 hours to get there (5.3 hrs logged total) in a 172 Cessna Skyhawk with 180 h.p. and winds. I wanted to visit the FBO called Wilson Air Center which was located near 27. So, the runway of choice to land was 27. Unfortunately, my choice was declined and I had to land on 18R. No problem..... I just had a nice little jaunt to taxi over to Wilson Air. If you need assistance getting to where you need to be, which I did, request "progressive taxi" and they'll give you directions a couple of steps at a time.

Wilson Air made us feel special. They parked my plane, added fuel to my specifications (no overnight fee with minimum 10 gal), provided a shuttle to Enterprise and more. When it came time to depart, a phone was provided designated for obtaining ground clearance. The other phone was designated for ATIS. I listened to ATIS and jotted down that I had information "kilo", as I needed that information when I called for clearance. My call to clearance delivery sounded like this: "Memphis Clearance, Skyhawk N# request clearance, northbound, 6,500 in 1/2 hour, kilo". They asked for a specific heading, so, I gave them 345. They came back with the clearance: "Cleared as filed, direct to 3SQ remaining VFR, climb and maintain 3000, squawk 1653, contact departure 124.65." Next, their clearance had to be read back. And last, I waited for them to state "readback correct". All of the "back and forth" requesting and repeating, etc. serves as a purpose, aircraft separation. If you'll notice, there are 4 runways that Air Traffic Controllers coordinate flights arriving and departing simultaneously. It's imperative pilots know exactly what the controllers want them to do and they do it, otherwise, things could get ugly. Once in the plane, I contacted ground stating I was ready to taxi to 27. We were cleared to taxi to position. Once in position, I contacted tower to let them know I was ready for takeoff to which they cleared us for takeoff and requested we contact departure control. Once in the air, departure control was contacted: "Departure Control, Skyhawk N# at 1,300 for 3,000." After a while, I was then instructed to contact Memphis Center. Throughout the flight, I was handed off to another Center as I forged ahead.

Communications has been mind boggling for me and what has helped and I still use is the COMM 1 Radio Simulator: IFR Pilot Communications Training on CD-ROM. It teaches how to use the radio, provides lessons using IFR scenarios, records and plays back interactive audio exercises and more. It allows talking to Approach, Departure, Center, and FSS when flying through controlled and uncontrolled airspace. I highly recommend this product if you're having troubles in this area of your training.

I look forward to making this trip again.