What should be done in response to phantom controller communications?

In cases of phantom controller communications, broadcasting an alert on all relevant frequencies is essential for maintaining safety and clarity in the airspace. Phantom communications occur when pilots receive transmissions that are not originated by a legitimate air traffic controller, which could lead to confusion and potential safety hazards.

Broadcasting an alert ensures that all affected pilots and operators in the vicinity are informed of the situation, allowing them to remain vigilant and avoid acting on potentially misleading or incorrect information. This step is crucial for keeping all stakeholders aware, thereby ensuring that they can take appropriate action and avoid any dangerous misunderstandings or responses that could arise from false communications.

The effectiveness of this approach lies in its ability to promptly communicate a potentially serious issue to everyone involved, rather than just noting it, which could lead to a lack of awareness, or only informing the next aircraft, which would limit the dissemination of vital information. Waiting for the situation to resolve on its own is also inadequate, as it could result in further confusion or even an incident.