Radio Procedures
Chapter 7
Introduction
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Radio communications are an important aspect for the safe operation of aircraft in the NAS. It is through radio communications that pilots give and receive information before, during and at the conclusion of a flight. This information aids in the flow of aircraft in highly complex airspace areas as well as in less populated areas. Pilots can also send and receive important safety of flight issues such as unexpected weather conditions, and inflight emergencies. Although small UA pilots are not expected to communicate over radio frequencies, it is important for the UA pilot to understand “aviation language” and the different conversations they will encounter if the UA pilot is using a radio to aid them in situational awareness when operating in the NAS. Although much of the information provided here is geared toward manned aircraft pilots, the UA pilot needs to understand the unique way information is exchanged in the NAS.
Alphabet
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
A review of the Pilot/Controller Glossary contained in the AIM assists a pilot in understanding standard radio terminology. The AIM also contains many examples of radio communications.
ICAO
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Operating near Control Towers
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
It is essential that pilots be alert and look for other traffic a when operating at an airport without an operating control tower. This is of particular importance since other aircraft may not have communication capability or, in some cases, pilots may not communicate their presence or intentions when operating into or out of such airports. To achieve the greatest degree of safety, it is essential that all radio equipped aircraft transmit/receive on a common frequency and small UA pilots monitor other aircraft identified for the purpose of airport advisories.
Understanding Communication on a Common Frequency
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
The key to communications at an airport without an operating control tower is selection of the correct common frequency. The acronym CTAF, which stands for Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, is synonymous with this program. A CTAF is a frequency designated for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower. The CTAF may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, FSS, or tower frequency and is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications.
Understanding Communication on a Common Frequency
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Understanding Communication on a Common Frequency
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Understanding Communication on a Common Frequency
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Registration
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Aviation has unique communication procedures that will be foreign to a remote pilot who has not been exposed to “aviation language” previously. One of those is aircraft call signs. All aircraft that are registered in the United States will have a unique registration number, or “N” number. For example, N123AB, which would be pronounced in aviation terms by use of the phonetic alphabet as, “November One-Two-Three-Alpha-Bravo.” In most cases, “November” will be replaced with either the aircraft manufacturer’s name (make) and in some cases, the type of aircraft (model). Usually, when the aircraft is a light general aviation (GA) aircraft, the manufacturer’s name will be used. In this case, if N123AB is a Cessna 172, the call sign would be “Cessna, One-Two-Three-Alpha-Bravo.”
Registration
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
A remote pilot is not expected to communicate with other aircraft in the vicinity of an airport, and should not do so unless there is an emergency situation. However, in the interest of safety in the NAS, it is important that a remote pilot understands the aviation language and the types of aircraft that can be operating in the same area as a small UA.
Runway
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
Communication/Broadcast Procedures
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014
A MULTICOM frequency of 122.9 will be used at an airport that is non-towered and does not have a FSS or UNICOM.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1801014