In addition to scanning for traffic, the proper use of the radio is a good way of avoiding close encounters with other traffic. Most importantly, using the radio at non towered airports, like Sterling, means listening first. By listening before you speak, you may get a sense for what's happening around you. I say "may" because not everybody has or uses a radio. Now let's get to the talking part.
Recently, I’ve heard some less than perfect radio procedures at Sterling. Most airplane pilots, incidentally, are pretty good about making radio calls in the pattern, use standard phraseology, and make calls on downwind, base, and final. When everybody speaks the same way on the airwaves there is much less confusion. After hearing calls like "2-33, IP", I think that it's fair to say that many of us can stand some improvement in this area.
Let's talk about what we're doing. At non-towered airports (FAA speak for what we normally call "uncontrolled airports"), we make blind transmissions. That is, we make announcements and we don't expect anyone to answer. A proper blind radio announcement consists of 5 Ws – Who you are talking to, Who you are, Where you are, What you are doing, and Where. Here's an example:
"Sterling traffic, glider 373BA, left downwind runway 34, landing on the grass, Sterling"
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Who are you talking to? The traffic around Sterling airport.
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Who are you? Glider 373BA.
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Where are you? Left downwind runway 34.
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What are you doing? Landing on the grass, runway 34.
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Where? Sterling.
Please remember the following points:
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We share the CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) 122.9 with several other airports. Saying who you're talking to (Sterling Traffic) is important.
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In announcing who you are, it's important that you get the word "glider" in there – even if you omit your tail number. The word "glider" tells every powered aircraft in the vicinity that they may be required to yield the right of way since gliders normally have the right of way over all powered aircraft. Just saying "2-33" is not enough because most airplane pilots won't know what a 2-33 is.
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Be sure to announce which downwind (or base) you're on. Remember that for runway 16 at Sterling, the powered traffic will be flying left hand patterns while the gliders will be on the right. By announcing your pattern direction, other pilots will know where to look for you.
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Don't use the term "IP" in your transmission. Non glider traffic won't have a clue what you're talking about.
Proper blind radio calls are easy and become automatic in just a short time and I encourage everyone to learn it and to use it. For more information, refer to chapter 4, section 1-9 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
Finally, remember that the possession and use of a radio at a non-towered airport is not required by any government agency. You WILL encounter non-radio (NORDO) equipped traffic. It is every ones responsibility to see and avoid.