VFR Radio Communications Made Simple

We've all been there; we push that microphone switch and stumble over every word. Talking on the radio is frequently mentioned as one of the more difficult skills to master in flight training. For some student pilots it can be downright intimidating. But while there are some rules about what you should say in different circumstances and in different airspaces, there's really nothing to be afraid of. A small communications mistake is nothing to sweat over, and with study and practice you'll quickly develop the confidence you need.

In the airplane, you're generally talking either to other pilots when you're at or near non-towered airports, or to Air Traffic Control (ATC). In some cases, you might be talking to briefers at a Flight Service Station (FSS). Either way, just remember that you can always speak plain English if you aren't sure what the technical verbiage is.

The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) does have a fairly good discussion of radio procedures, but even it can't elaborate on every single situation you might run into on the radio. Nevertheless, I do recommend that you study it and learn what it does offer. In the meantime let's look over some practice scenarios.

Radio Communications Before Takeoff

Taking off at Non-Towered Fields

Each non-towered airport will have a specific radio frequency assigned called the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). It's shown on sectional charts and in the Airport/Facilities Directory (A/FD) portion of the Chart Supplement publication. You must know what this frequency is, because this is where you're going to state your intentions so other pilots know what you're doing. It's a simple but critical issue of safety.

Before you taxi from your parking spot at Centerville Airport, press the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button and say:

"Centerville traffic, Cessna 12345 is taxing from the ramp to the run-up area for Runway 7. Centerville."

When you are ready for takeoff, say:

"Centerville traffic, Cessna 12345 is taking Runway 7 for departure to the west. Centerville."

See? It's pretty painless. Just tell them who you are, where you are, and what you're doing. It's important to add the name of the airport at the beginning and end of each transmission because multiple airport within radio range might share the same frequency. Other pilots on the frequency must always know which airport you're operating at.

Taking off at Towered Fields

Towered airport usually have a separate frequency for ground operations. This lets one controller manage movements on the ground while another controller handles movements in the air.

Before contacting the ground controller, listen to the recorded weather broadcast. At many airports, this will be provided by the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS). The weather information will be frequently updated and each new recording will have a letter assigned to it. When you call the ground controller to request permission to taxi, he or she must confirm that you listened to the latest weather information. In this example, we'll assume that the current ATIS is named 'D' for Delta and that you have listened to it.

Pilot: "Metropolis Ground, Cessna 12345 at the FBO with information Delta. Ready to taxi for departure to the north."

Ground Controller: "Cessna 12345, Metropolis Ground. Runway 31 taxi via Taxiway Bravo."

That's it! You're now cleared to taxi to Runway 31. If there's a run-up area, go there and do your pre-takeoff checklist. When you're done, get clearance to continue to the runway.

Pilot: "Metropolis Ground, Cessna 12345 is done with run-up, ready to taxi to Runway 31."

Ground Controller: "Cessna 12345, taxi to and hold short Runway 31. Contact Tower on 118.9 when ready for departure."

Now you're cleared to proceed to the runway's hold-short line. Once you're there, call the tower:

Pilot: "Metropolis Tower, Cessna 12345 is ready for departure at Runway 31."

Tower Controller: "Cessna 12345, cleared for takeoff. Make right turnout."

Pilot: "Cleared for takeoff, Cessna 12345."

Radio Communications Before Landing

So now you're in the air. Chances are, at some point, you'll want to land. Just like with taking off, communication when landing is a little different between non-towered and towered airports.

Landing at Non-Towered Fields

As you approach a non-towered field, you should be listening to the CTAF to determine which runway is in use and what other pilots are doing in the area. Just like you, they should be communicating their intentions over this frequency. As you get closer to the airport, make your own calls on the CTAF telling pilots where you are and what you intend to do.

"Centerville Traffic, Cessna 12345 is ten miles north at 3,500 feet, inbound to land. Centerville."

As you close in on the airport, make another call.

"Centerville Traffic, Cessna 12345 is four miles north at 2,500 feet. Will be entering on the left downwind for Runway 7. Centerville."

Now other pilots in the area know you're there and how you're going to enter the traffic pattern. When you're actually entering the pattern, plan on making radio calls announcing your location on each leg.

"Centerville Traffic, Cessna 12345 is left downwind/base/final for Runway 7. Landing. Centerville."

And of course once you've landed and safely cleared the runway, let other pilots know the runway is safe for them to use.

"Centerville Traffic, Cessna 12345 is clear of Runway 7, taxiing to parking. Centerville."

 

Landing at Towered Fields

Towered fields are normally in Class B, C, or D airspace, and unlike non-towered airports, you don't make position report in the traffic pattern unless the tower controller tells you to. Before you enter any of these airspaces you must get permission. There are different ways to get permission based on which airspace you're entering.

To enter Class B Airspace, the approach controller must give you explicit clearance by saying the words, "Cleared into the Class Bravo." It's extremely important that you not stray inside the Class B without a clearance. Student pilots will rarely, if ever, operate inside Class B.

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) require that you establish radio communications with the appropriate controller before entering Class C or Class D airspace. Talking to him is not enough. Communications are not considered to be "established" until the controller has said your tail number or your callsign.

To enter Class C Airspace, you must call the approach controller on the appropriate frequency. One he's said your tail number, you may enter his airspace. As you get closer to the airport, he'll ask you to contact the tower controller, who will tell you how to enter the traffic pattern. Once you're in the pattern and traffic spacing allows, the tower controller will tell you that you're "cleared to land." You must call him back and repeat the instructions by saying, "Cleared to land, Cessna 12345."

To enter Class D Airspace, you must call the tower controller on the appropriate frequency. Once he says your tail number, you may enter his airspace. He'll tell you how he wants you to enter the traffic pattern as you get closer to the airport. Once you're in the patter and traffic spacing allows, he'll tell you that you're, "cleared to land". Like in Class C Airspace, you have to reply saying, "Cleared to land, Cessna 12345."

At all towered fields, once you've exited the runway you have to stop past the yellow hold-short line and call the ground controller to tell them where you want to park. He or she will give you taxi clearance and instruction on how to get there.

Review

So that's it! Now you have the knowledge you need to be confident on the radio. You know who to talk to and what you need to say at both towered and non-towered fields. Radio communications are a critical part of what keeps us safe as pilots, but in reality they're nothing to be scared of. Just remember that if you ever forget the right thing to say, speak in plain English and you'll be fine. Now go get in the air and put your new radio skills to good use!


About the Author

Headshot of Russ Still

Russ Still is the founder and chief instructor at Gold Seal. He is an ATP with CFI, CFII, and IGI instructor certificates. He is also an FAA Gold Seal instructor and 8-time Master CFI. Russ holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Florida.

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