Air Nav - ATC & Radio Comms

Operating internationally you are required to hold a restricted radiotelephone permit issued by the

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

What radiotelephone permit is required for GA aircraft operating in the US?

None

GA uses

VHF (same as FM radio in your car)

VHF Aviation Radio operates on frequencies between:

118.0 (MHz) and 136.975

Localizer and VOR frequencies are on:

108.0 and 118.0

Primary Radar

Transmits a high power signal.

ATC knows the position of the aircraft through the radar display.

Secondary Radar

Transmits an interrogation signal which is received by the target aircraft. Transponder sends back a coded reply to the ground radar.

What is ADS-B?

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast

Where is ADS-B found?

Composed of aircraft avionics and ground & satellite infrastructure. Determine position of aircraft by using GPS and transmits position for use by ATC & other ADS-B equipped aircraft.

Purpose of ADS-B?

Facilitate improvements to the NAS due to an increase in capacity and efficiency while maintaining safety.

Enhance pilot situational awareness, and air to air surveillance.

Transponders Purpose?

FOF identification, Identification of type of flight plan, Emergency, loss of communication, hijacking

4 Main Transponder Codes

1200 = VFR

7500 = Hijack

7600 = Lost Comms

7700 = Emergency

Squawk means

Turn your Transponder to “ “.

ATC Radar Traffic Advisories

Safety alerts

Traffic advisories

Vectoring (when requested)

Sequencing

Traffic is referenced by

From the aircraft in terms of a 12 hour clock

Distance in NM

Type of aircraft

Altitude if known

“Cessna 172RC)

“Traffic 10 o’clock 5 miles eastbound, a Cessna 152, 3000 feet”

Difference between ATC Clearance and Advisories

Clearance when the controller DIRECTS you to do something. REQUIRED TO READ BACK ALL.

Advisory designed to make you aware of circumstances that may affect your flight. Advisories DO NOT require you to read back.

If ATC gives you ONLY advisory info, you read back

at least your tail number

5 W’s (Non-Towered)

Who are you calling?

Who you are?

Where are you? (distance, cardinal direction, & altitude)

What are your intentions?

Who are you calling?

5 W’s (Towered)

Who are you calling?

Who you are?

Where are you?

What are your intentions?

With the information?

Call Signs

Always give your aircraft type and full N-

Number upon initial call-up and handoffs to new controllers.

(Skyhawk 5284Y)

May only abbreviate call sign AFTER ATC uses the shortened three character version

(Skyhawk 84Y)

Steady Green Light Gun Signal

On the ground = Cleared for takeoff

In the air = Cleared to land

Flashing green light gun signal

On the ground = Cleared for taxi

On the air = Return for landing (to be followed by steady green)

Steady red light gun signal

On the ground = Stop

In the air = Give way to other aircraft and continue circling

Flashing red light gun signal

On the ground = Taxi clear of the runway

In the air = Airport Unsafe, Do not land

Flashing white light gun signal

On the ground = Return to starting point

In the air = Not applicable

Flashing Red and Green Light Gun Signal

Exercise Extreme Caution