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Introduction
Talking to air traffic control is something most student and new pilots dread, however
fear not! This guide will explain the basics of talking to ATC.
Step one is realizing that ATC isn't trying to get you in trouble, and they're willing to
help you if you just simply ask. Once you grasp that concept, things should be pretty
smooth for you.
Basic vocabulary:
Roger = Yes, I acknowledge what you just said
Wilco = Will comply/will do
Affirm = Yes
Negative = No
Say again = Say again (this will be your best friend)
Request = Requesting somethin'
(Disclaimer: Some if not all of the phraseology and procedures in this guide may not
apply to countries other than the U.S.)
Thanks to:
ChadScott
MattH2580
Air_Holland
K20017
Boris_Jeltsin
ReachForTheSkyline
Clearance Delivery
In most Class B airports, there will be a frequency for clearance delivery. This is where
you get clearance to go to where you're going. Here are the five things that make up any
basic transmission:
You might notice that the controller only said the last 3 characters of the callsign. Once
you make your initial call, you typically only have to use the last 3 characters (unless
told otherwise) to keep things quick. Also, when reading back instructions (which you
should always do), be sure to put your callsign at the end of the call, so ATC knows it's
you talking.
If you're flying VFR out of an airport with no clearance delivery, contact ground instead
for clearance.
For IFR flights, the idea is the same but they'res some changes.
San Francisco clearance delivery, Cessna N760PL, requesting IFR to Monterey, with
whiskey.
Cessna 0PL, San Francisco clearance delivery, cleared to the Monterey airport via the
SFO4 departure, radar vectors OAK, then as filed. Climb maintain 3000. departure
135.65, squawk 1234.
Cleared to the Monterey airport via the SFO4 departure, radar vectors OAK, then as
filed. Climb maintain 3000, departure 135.65, squawk 1234, Cessna 0PL.
Cessna 0PL, readback correct. Expect runway 01R for departure.
Example:
San Francisco gound, Cessna N760PL is ready for taxi, with whiskey.
Cessna 0PL, San Francisco ground, taxi 01R, taxi via alpha, mike.
Taxi to runway 01R via alpha, mike, Cessna 0PL.
For arrivals, just replace the everything after your callsign with, "request taxi to
ramp/gate".
Tower
Theres two interaction types with tower controllers: arriving and departing. Both of
which follow the same pattern as the rest, but sound different because during the arrival
interaction, you must state where you are and subtract the "info" phase.
Departing:
San Francisco tower, Cessna N760PL is ready at runway 01R for departure.
Cessna 0PL, San Francisco tower, winds 270 at 6, runway 01R, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, runway 01R, Cessna 0PL.
Friendly reminder: Always remember to read back any and all instructions a controller
tells you! Excluding "standby" in which you... stand by.
VFR arrival:
Monterey tower, Cessna N760PL is 12 miles north of (airport/VOR/intersection), at
3500 requesting to land.
Cessna 0PL, Monterey tower, fly left downwind, runway 28L
Left downwind runway 28L, Cessna 0PL.
For IFR flights, you'll probably be using an instrument approach, which I assume you
guys know how to perform.
IFR arrival:
VFR departure:
Norcal departure, Cessna N760PL is at 1000, climbing 3,500.
Cessna 0PL, radar contact, maintain VFR at or below 3,500.
VFR at or below 3,500, Cessna 0PL.
Keep in mind, VFR pilots usually only get squawk codes in class B or C airspace or if
they're under flight following.
IFR departure:
VFR approach:
Norcal approach, Cessna N760PL is at 2,000, requesting to land, with whiskey.
Cessna 0PL, Norcal approach, expect runway 28L.
Runway 28L, Cessna 0PL.
After a bit, you'll be handed to tower and be instructed on how to enter the pattern.
IFR approach:
Norcal approach, Cessna N760PL is at 2,000, request RNAV 28L, with whiskey.
Cessna 0PL, Norcal approach, fly heading 170, expect RNAV runway 28L approach.
Heading 170 and RNAV 28L, Cessna 0PL.
Similar to VFR flights, once you're lined up, they'll say this:
Cessna 0PL, you're 2 miles from JEJMA, fly heading 300, maintain 2,000, cleared
RNAV runway 28L approach.
Fly heading 300, maintain 2,000, cleared RNAV 28L approach, Cessna 0PL.
Example:
Oakland center, Cessna N760PL is at 3000.
Cessna 0PL, roger.
Flight following is a tool that can help VFR pilots, which include traffic advisories and
other safety alerts. ATC will act as an extra pair of eyes if you decide to request it.
Once you're ready to descend, contact center again and request descent.
Example:
Oakland center, Cessna 0PL, requesting descent/lower.
Cessna 0PL, descend 2,000, contact Norcal approach on 123.4.
Remember, many airports don't have approach and departure, so you may be handed
directly to tower.
Talking to a center controller is very simple, tell them what you want, they answer, and
you repeat what they said.
UNICOM/CTAF
Some airports don't have towers or anything at all, however the law requires you to let
other pilots know what you're doing. This is what the traffic frequency is for. Basically,
you just state where you are relative to the airport and where you are in the pattern/on
the ground. UNICOM/CTAF frequencies are shared between multiple airports, so be
sure to say what airport you're talking about.
Example:
Monterey traffic, Cessna N760PL is on left downwind, runway 28L, full stop/touch and
go, Monterey.
Notice how I say the name of the airport at the end of the transmission as well. This is
to ensure that any pilot's that only heard the butt end of my transmission know which
airport I'm talking about.
Phraseology
Cleared…
You're allowed to do whatever the ATC just said.
Continue:
Keep doing stuff.
Go ahead:
Talk.
Report…
Report whatever the ATC told you to report when able.
State intentions:
What do you want?
Maintain…
Stay at a certain altitude.
Fly heading…
Fly in the specific heading given to you by ATC.
Hold position:
Stop moving.
Recycle:
Turn off your transponder and turn it back on again.
Ident:
Press the lil' "ident" button on your transponder.
Radar contact:
You're on the radar! Sweet!
Squawk VFR:
Change your transponder code to 1200.
Extend downwind:
Make your downwind leg longer.
-Krypt