[dalereed]

Not totally true, we talk to other pilots and get airport, and other information that isn't redially available, current wind conditions, weather condition etc.

I've chit chatted with controlers that I know when transiting their area and even sometimes get special treatment as to routing.

Keep in mind that every instruction from a controler you write down and repeat back to them so the communication is a lot more complicated than a cell phone.

Also when in the airport service area you are not only constantly changing direction and altitude/ instruction, but communicating.

[mkjessup]

Not totally true, we talk to other pilots and get airport, and other information that isn't redially available, current wind conditions, weather condition etc. I've chit chatted with controlers that I know when transiting their area and even sometimes get special treatment as to routing. Keep in mind that every instruction from a controler you write down and repeat back to them so the communication is a lot more complicated than a cell phone. Also when in the airport service area you are not only constantly changing direction and altitude/ instruction, but communicating.

Points taken, although I'd be willing to bet that the many many hours of training that you and your fellow pilots have undergone make the typical DMV driver test look like a coloring book, does it not?

[ThePythonicCow]

Yes - you're communicating to the controller, but it is with full awareness by both that you're flying, and that flying the plane is your job number one. Your unconscious place stays with the plane, and both parties to the conversation know that.

[ThePythonicCow]

In other words, if you started engaging in a prolonged and engrossing discussion with a controller that was entirely unrelated to your flying the plane, I'll wager a good controller would start to worry you weren't paying attention to your primary job - flying.