Private Pilot Oral - Air Traffic Control

Front 1

What is FSS?

Back 1

Flight Service Stations (FSSs) are air traffic facilities which provide pilot briefings, flight plan processing, en route radio communications, search and rescue services, and assistance to lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations

Front 2

What is CTAF?

Back 2

A CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory) 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.

Front 3

Where can you find CTAF frequencies?

Back 3

A/FD (Airport/Facility directory)
By contacting FSS

Front 4

What are the recommended Traffic Advisory Practices?

Back 4

Pilots of inbound traffic should monitor and communicate as appropriate on the designated CTAF from 10 miles to landing. Pilots of departing aircraft should monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency from start-up, during taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport unless the CFRs or local procedures require otherwise.

Front 5

What are the Airport Advisory/Information Services Provided by a FSS?

Back 5

In communicating with a CTAF FSS, check the airport's automated weather and establish two-way communications before transmitting outbound/inbound intentions or information.

Front 6

What are the information Provided by Aeronautical Advisory Stations (UNICOM)?

Back 6

1. UNICOM is a nongovernment air/ground radio communication station which may provide airport information at public use airports where there is no tower or FSS.
2. On pilot request, UNICOM stations may provide pilots with weather information, wind direction, the recommended runway, or other necessary information. If the UNICOM frequency is designated as the CTAF, it will be identified in appropriate aeronautical publications.

Front 7

Standard CTAF outbound and inbound communication procedures

Back 7

OUTBOUND: Before taxiing and before taxiing on the runway for departure.

INBOUND: 10 miles out. Entering downwind, base, and final. Leaving the runway.

Front 8

What is the order of use of CTAF?

Back 8

Tower
FSS
UNICOM
MULTICOM

Front 9

What to self report on UNICOM/MULTICOM

Back 9

- State the identification of the UNICOM station you are calling in each transmission
- Report approximately 10 miles from the airport, reporting altitude, and state your aircraft type, aircraft identification, location relative to the airport, state whether landing or overflight, and request wind information (if no ATIS) and runway in use.
- Report on downwind, base, and final approach.
- Report leaving the runway "clear of runway xx"