FAA ATC Tower Tips
Tower Tips
(Compiled by the controllers at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport? Air Traffic Control Tower)
Tower: 118.6 (1300 - 0500Z), (0600 - 2200 MST)
ATIS: 126.25 (Automated Terminal Information System)
Phone: 303-466-3546 (1300 - 0500Z), (0600 - 2200 MST)
In the interest of improving air safety, airport operations, and communications between controllers and pilots, the staff at Metro Tower compiled these tips. Most of the items deal with communications and procedures and are simple reminders to help us work together effectively.
Communications
- When you dial up the frequency, listen first before transmitting -- don't cut out other transmissions. If the controller has just broadcast a question or instruction to another pilot, allow the pilot time to answer or acknowledge before breaking in.
- Know what you are going to say before keying the mike, thereby making efficient use of transmission time.
- Say it all on the first call, rather than establishing communications first. We in the tower are listening -- you need not start with a transmission like, "Metro Tower, Cessna two-three-four-, over."
- Each initial call-up needs to include five things:
- Who you are calling.
- Who you are.
- Where you are.
- What you want to do.
- What you have (ATIS code).
This doesn't take long. For example: "Metro Tower, Cessna six-one-seven-four-Kilo, over Louisville, inbound for landing, with Echo". Or, "Metro Ground, Cherokee eight-one-three-one-two, at Air West, taxi with November".
- Another way to make your transmissions efficient is to shorten your call sign to the last three characters after the initial call-up. For example, you are Cardinal three-four-five-six-six on initial call-up, but on later calls you are Cardinal five-six-six.
- Acknowledge all clearances. As controllers, we must know if you heard us.
- Affirmative vs. Roger: These are the two most misused words at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport?.
- Affirmative is a yes answer to a yes or no question.
- Roger is an acknowledgment meaning, "I have received your transmission and understand it." Roger does not mean "yes".
Examples:
- "Are you over Lafayette?" Answer, "Affirmative".
- "Taxi to Runway 29 right." Answer, "Roger, Runway 29R".
- If you don't understand, ask! If you aren't sure what the controller wants you to do, don't guess. A surprised controller is not a happy one, but more importantly, the controller cannot separate you from traffic if you do something unexpected.
Procedures
- Don't land without clearance. This sounds ridiculously simple, yet instances of this are not uncommon at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport?.
Remember that, "Number 2, follow the citation on two mile final," is not a clearance to land. If you are on a mile final and haven't heard, "Cleared to land," ask about a landing clearance.
- "Cleared to land" is not a touch-and-go clearance.
Runway separation standards are different for full stop traffic and touch-and-go aircraft. The tower must know that you intend to do a touch-and-go and you must have a clearance to do so.
- When given taxi instructions to the active runway, read back the runway.
Example: "Cessna two-three-three, taxi to Runway 29 right." "Metro Ground, Cessna two-three-three, Roger, taxi to Runway 29 right."
- When given hold short of runway instructions, read back the instruction verbatim.
Example: "Cessna two-three-three hold short of Runway 29 right for landing traffic." "Metro Tower, Cessna two-three-three, Roger, hold short of Runway 29 right."
- When ready for departure, contact Tower on 118.6 for departure sequence, and then move to the hold line in the sequence assigned. As traffic volume increases, it is important to both you and the controller that you are ready for departure.
- Runway exiting: When exiting Runway 29R/11L or Runway 2/20, you must taxi past the hold line unless the controller instructs you to hold short of the taxiway. This means the aircraft must taxi past the hold line and will be either on Taxiway Alpha (Runway 29R/11L) or Taxiway Bravo (Runway 2/20). Pilots are required to taxi past the hold line unless instructed otherwise.
Examples: "Cessna two-three-three, turn right next taxiway, cross the hold line, then contact Ground point seven." "Mooney six-three-hotel, turn left at Bravo, cross Alpha, then contact ground point seven." "Cessna two-three-three, turn right at Alfa six, cross Alfa into the ramp at Alpha seven, monitor ground point seven to parking."
- Traffic advisories: When given traffic advisories let the controller know when you have the traffic in sight, or if you lose sight of the traffic. It makes everyone's job easier when you keep the controller advised on traffic.
- Delta Airspace: Remember to establish communications before entering Delta airspace. Delta airspace is 4.8 nautical miles from the center of the airport, not from the VOR. Give yourself some leeway, and call 7-10 miles out.
- Finally, we want to work together with you to make this one of the safest and best airports at which to fly. We are here to provide a service.
- If you are asked to call the tower, don't be afraid to do so. You might gain important knowledge that could save your life and the lives of others.
- Our primary interest is to correct problems and misunderstandings. Your cooperation assists us in achieving this goal.
Runway/Taxiway Incursions
Enough cannot be said about safety at airports. Caution must be used when operating in hangar and ramp areas. Ground operations on taxiways and runways must be controlled. Operations on runways and taxiways are not areas where pedestrians, vehicles or aircraft operate without a clearance from air traffic control. If you bring someone out to the airport, make sure they understand the basic rules of being on an airport. Safety cannot be over emphasized.
If you have any questions concerning ATC services at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport?, don't hesitate to call Liz Meyer at 303-466-3546.
Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:16 PM
