Table of Contents
- 1 When should I switch to tower frequency?
- 2 How do you enter and exit the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport?
- 3 How does communication take place between airports and pilots?
- 4 How do I know if my runway is closed?
- 5 Are straight in approaches legal?
- 6 What do you report to ATC when entering a hold?
- 7 Can a recreational pilot fly without ATC communication?
- 8 Who is in charge of ATC in aviation?
- 9 How do you communicate with air traffic control?
When should I switch to tower frequency?
this only applies when you’ve taxied to the hold-short with Ground. If Ground tells you to switch earlier, do it. If you want to switch earlier, request it. This seems to suggest that it is OK to switch to tower once you have completed the runup and are ready to takeoff at least in the US.
How do you enter and exit the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport?
A standard traffic pattern exit is made in one of two ways. First, by flying straight out on the runway heading for at least 2 nautical miles (nm). Or second, by making a 45-degree turn in the direction of the traffic pattern once reaching 500ft above ground level (AGL).
How does communication take place between airports and pilots?
The most common form of communication in aviation, very high frequency (VHF) radio calls are what we use for around 95\% of our communications with ATC. In simplified terms, the transmitting station sends a signal that travels in a straight line and is picked up by the receiving station.
Why do planes circle after takeoff?
Why? Answer: The maneuver you describe is usually either a 360 degree turn issued by the air traffic controller to increase spacing between your flight and another airplane, or it was one turn in a holding pattern. The one turn in a holding can occur when the expected hold time is reduced, requiring only a single turn.
Can ground clear you to cross a runway?
Remember that active runways are always the jurisdiction of the local (tower) controller. Even if a ground controller tells you to cross a runway, they have to clear it with the local controller next to them. So generally you switch frequencies when you have finished crossing the runway unless told otherwise.
How do I know if my runway is closed?
The crosses are yellow in color. (See FIG 2-3-22.) A raised lighted yellow cross may be placed on each runway end in lieu of the markings described in Subparagraph e, Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways, to indicate the runway is closed.
Are straight in approaches legal?
1 The FAA does not regulate traffic pattern entry, only traffic pattern flow. A visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft on a long, straight-in approach for landing never enters the traffic pattern unless performing a go-around or touch and go after landing (see paragraph 9.5).
What do you report to ATC when entering a hold?
Pilots should report to ATC the time and altitude/flight level at which the aircraft reaches the clearance limit and report leaving the clearance limit.
What does it mean when a pilot says rotate on takeoff?
Pilots say rotate to indicate that the airplane has reached its rotation speed, which is the speed at which the airplane can take off safely without stalling.
What is ATC traffic in air traffic control?
TRAFFIC —A term used by ATC to refer to one or more aircraft. TRAFFIC IN SIGHT —Used by pilots to inform a controller that previously issued traffic is in sight. UNABLE —Indicates inability to comply with a specific instruction, request, or clearance. VERIFY —Request confirmation of information; e.g., “verify assigned altitude.”
Can a recreational pilot fly without ATC communication?
Recreational pilots cannot fly in airspace requiring ATC communication, but it’s a good idea to learn to use the right words. This knowledge can help them in an emergency, and it helps prepare a recreational pilot for a private pilot certificate, if he decides to continue his training.
Who is in charge of ATC in aviation?
That being said, ATC exists solely for YOU as the pilot, and as pilot in command YOU are in charge of the safety of the flight. A routine example of this is if ATC clears you for takeoff and says “no delay, Learjet on 2 mile final”. You don’t have to accept this takeoff clearance.
How do you communicate with air traffic control?
There is an art to using the right words when you communicate with air traffic control (ATC). Effective aviation phraseology combines brevity with the transfer of complete and correct information. Long, detailed transmissions ensure the controller receives the needed information, but these monologues also tie up the frequency.