Matthew Waugh
As a student pilot you’ll encounter ATC in 2 different environments. You’ll encounter radar controllers if you want flight following or if the airport you are flying to has sequencing services provided by an approach control. You’ll encounter controlled airport controllers (tower controllers) when you fly in or out of an airport with an operating control tower.
Examples of radar controllers in the local area are:
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Fayetteville
- Seymour Johnson
- Cherry Point
- Wilmington
Examples of airports with operating control towers are:
- Raleigh
- Greensboro
- Fayetteville
- Stanly County
- Kinston
- New Bern (Craven County)
Note that some of these airports have approach control services that are mandatory, Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville and the other airports the use of the local approach control is not mandatory.
Use the airport facility directory (A/FD) to find out if approach control services are available at any airport and the frequencies to use to contact the radar controller.
So that you’ll be well prepared for operations that involve talking to ATC you should read the following sections from the Airman’s Information Manual (AIM). You may also want to invest in other books dedicated to helping you understand and interact with Air Traffic Control and there are some recommendations later in this document.
Radar Services
| Paragraph | Title |
| 1-2-All | Radar Services and Procedures |
| 4-1-8 | Approach Control Service for VFR Arriving Aircraft |
| 4-1-14 | Radar Traffic Information Service |
| 4-1-15 | Safety Alert |
| 4-1-16 | Radar Assistance to VFR Aircraft |
| 4-1-17 | Terminal Radar Services for VFR Aircraft |
| 4-1-19 | Transponder Operation |
| 4-2-All | Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques |
Controlled Airport Operations
| Paragraph | Title |
| 2-3-All | Airport Marking Aids and Signs |
| 4-1-13 | Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) |
| 4-3-2 | Airports with an Operating Control Tower |
| 4-3-10 | Intersection Takeoffs |
| 4-3-11 | Pilot Responsibilities When Conducting Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) |
| 4-3-13 | Traffic Control Light Signals |
| 4-3-14 | Communications |
| 4-3-16 | VFR Flights in Terminal Areas |
| 4-3-18 | Taxing |
| 4-3-20 | Exiting the Runway After Landing |
| 4-3-22 | Option Approach |
| 4-3-25 | Hand Signals |
You can also download a copy of the AOPA Safety Advisory on operation at tower controlled airports.
Additional Notes
At some busy controlled airports where radar services are offered by a departure control pilots may be required (Class C and B airspace) or may optionally (TRSA) obtain a VFR clearance from either ground control or a dedicated clearance delivery frequency. The ATIS broadcast may provide advice on what information ATC will expect, but otherwise follow the rule of:
- Who you are calling
- Who you are
- Where you want to go
- What Altitude
The controller will provide you with a clearance in a standard format. You can use the mnemonic CRADS to remember how the response will be given.
| C | Clearance Limit – often not provided o a VFR clearance |
| R | Route – often just a direction in a VFR clearance |
| A | Altitude – often given “maintain VFR at or below XXXX feet” |
| D | Departure Frequency |
| S | Squawk code for the transponder |
Additional Reading
Interacting with ATC can be a confusing process that is hampered by it taking place in an aircraft with the associated navigation and control requirements. The aircraft is a poor place to learn how to communicate with ATC, it is a much better place to practice that communication after you know what to expect.
Here are some books you might consider to learn more about working with ATC on the radio:
- Say Again, Please: Guide to Radio Communications.
- The Pilot’s Radio Communications Handbook.
- The Pilot’s Air Traffic Control Handbook
- VFR Communications Kit
Version 2 – 8/24/2002