[ATC RET 2003]

I'll add the pilot/controller glossary to the list of resources... and it also doesn't give any hints as to what the response should or shouldn't be.

I can't remember any time that I used that phrase that I expected an acknowledgement or reply. Likewise, I can't recall any response I got to a "stand by" that got me bent out of shape.

Looks like this might be another one of those things that isn't covered by a hard and fast rule.

If your instructor tells you to reply... reply. If another one tells you don't... don't.

When you're the PIC, you decide.

Now... let me flip the question...

If you ever tell a controller to "stand by" (and if you haven't yet, you likely will one of these days), what response would YOU expect or prefer?