PA.II.D.K6bFAA-S-ACS-6C · 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 |
|---|---|
| 122.9 | MULTICOM |
| 122.7, 122.8, 122.725, 122.975, or 123.0 | UNICOM CTAF |
| 10 miles to landing | Inbound |
| start-up to 10 miles | Departing |
| 8 to 10 miles out | Straight-in |
FAA references
- PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-2) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- AIM 4-1-9 (Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- 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)
- AIM 4-2-13 (Communications with Tower when Aircraft Transmitter or Receiver or Both are Inoperative) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
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