AI.V.D.K7bFAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Knowledge
b. Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
Procedures for: b. Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
Bottom line
Pilots operating from a towered airport are required to maintain two-way radio communication with ATC and to acknowledge and comply with their instructions. The key to communicating at an airport without an operating control tower is selection of the correct common frequency.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 122.7, 122.8, 122.725, 122.975, or 123.0 — published CTAF frequencies for communicating with a UNICOM station | UNICOM CTAF |
FAA references
- PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-3) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- AFH ch. 13 (p. 13-15) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- AFH ch. 1 (pp. 1-12–1-13) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- AIH ch. 1 (p. 1-25) — FAA-H-8083-9B
- AIM 4-1-5 (Communications Release of IFR Aircraft Landing at an Airport Without an Operating Control Tower) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
Build understanding you can use
Unlock the full lesson and continue studying this element.
- Full teaching sections: What it is; Key points; Rules and numbers; How it is done
- Check your understanding with answers you can reveal
- Common mistakes paired with the FAA facts that correct them