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Guy's Safety Review & Tips

Airport Operations at Towered Airports

If you are accustom to flying in and out of non-towered airports, a communications checklist for your initial communications with a control tower may make things easier. We'll use Chattanooga as an example. See an airport diagram and an airport directory for KCHA.

Before you contact ATC, you will want to check the ATIS on 119.85, note the current version, and reset your altimeter if necessary.

Establish Communications:
3AB	Chattanooga Approach, Cessna 123AB
ATC reply	Cessna 123AB, Chattanooga Approach

Continue Communications: Once communications has been established, you will need to provide the following information:
Who	= call sign abbreviated Cessna 3AB
What	= Type of aircraft Cessna 172
Flight rules	= VFR or IFR VFR
Where	= Your location 25 miles south east of Chattanooga
Altitude	= your present altitude 3000 feet
Intentions	= What do you wish to do Landing Chattanooga
ATIS	= Acknowledge that you have the latest weather Information Charlie

3AB	Chattanooga approach, Cessna 3AB is a Cessna 172, VFR, currently 25 miles south east of Chattanooga at 3000 feet, landing Chattanooga with information Charlie
ATC Reply	Cessna 3AB, Chattanooga approach, squawk code 3214

From this point on, you will follow the directions given by ATC. To acknowledge instructions, begin your transmission with your identifier followed by an abbreviated read back.

ATC	Cessna 3AB, Chattanooga Approach, turn left to 310 degrees and descend to 2500 feet
3AB	Cessna 3AB, left 310, 2500 feet

Previous Safety Tips

Safety reviews from previous months:

• Operations at a Non-Towered Airport

Guy York is a flight instructor based at Fort Payne. His tips and suggestions are meant to review safety procedures and refresh piloting skills. Please contact Guy if you have specific questions or topics you would like to see covered in the future.

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