Aviation Radio Use When Flying to Large Airports
Radio Communication if Visiting an Airport in Controlled Airspace
Jun 9, 2009
When flying to a large airport it is essential to communicate with Air Traffic Control via the aircraft two-way radio. Small aircraft flown by private pilots can do this, but there are particular communication procedures that need to be followed. The pilot will first need to phone the airport in advance, speak to ATC, and obtain permission to fly in.
Radio Use When Approaching the Airport
At some distance from the airport, the pilot will tune his radio to the large airport’s ATIS, which is a recorded message, changing every hour, which gives information about the runway in use, the wind direction at the airport, and other important information. After that he will switch to the airport’s Approach frequency. The communication between him and ATC will go something like this:
Pilot: "Bigtown Approach, this is G-ABCD", (See The Phonetic Alphabet in Radio Communication for the words he will actually use when giving the aircraft callsign)
ATC: "G-ABCD, pass your message".
Pilot: "G-ABCD is a Cessna 152, inbound to you from Smalltown, approaching from the East with ten miles to run, at 2000 feet, request joining instructions, with Information Delta" (the ATIS information designator)
ATC: "G-CD, cleared to enter controlled airspace not above 2500 feet. Report airfield in sight".
Pilot: "Cleared to enter controlled airspace not above 2500 feet, report field in sight, G-CD"
The pilot always reports back important information he is given, to ensure that there are no misunderstandings.
Radio Communications When Close to the Airport
The next communication will go like this:
Pilot: "G-CD has field in sight"
ATC: "G-CD, change to Bigtown Tower on 123.45. They have your details".
Pilot: "Call Tower on 123.45".
(Pilot changes frequency, then calls the Tower)
Pilot: "Bigtown Tower, G-CD is on frequency"
ATC: "G-CD, continue approach. Join downwind for Runway 22".
Pilot: "Join downwind for Runway 22".
(Pilot continues approach, then…)
Pilot: "G-CD, downwind".
ATC: "G-CD, continue, you are number 3".
(This means there are two aircraft in front of G-CD in the circuit.)
Pilot: "Continuing approach."
A little later…
Pilot: "G-CD final runway 22"
ATC: "G-CD, cleared to land"
Pilot: "Cleared to land, G-CD".
The pilot may not land until he is actually cleared to do so.
Radio Communications on the Ground
One he has landed safely, the pilot will be asked to change to the Ground frequency, who will direct him where to taxi and park. Some medium-sized airports do not have a Ground frequency, in which case the Tower will tell him what to do. The pilot should not turn off his radio until he is safely parked and has switched off his engine.
There are a number of other alternative radio conversations which may take place, depending on the traffic and what is happening at the moment. However, the above is fairly typical.
Thos interested in aviation radio use may like to look at the following articles…
Radio Communications for a Light Aircraft Flight
Aviation Emergency Radio Communications
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