ATC
Communication Procedures
for Local
Towers and Phoenix TRACON
Revision: 1
Effective Date: 11-21-2002
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this document is to establish
a consensus as well as to further standardize radio communication procedures
between Air Traffic Controllers and pilots when arriving and departing
airports within and surrounding the greater Phoenix area. This document
does not replace or supersede any Federal Aviation Regulations or information
described in the Aeronautical Information Manual. The following document
was compiled from information gathered from procedures and opinions of
Control Towers around the Phoenix area as well as the Phoenix TRACON.
The information contained herein is considered a “living document” and
is subject to revisions as necessary.
Procedures
Initial Contact:
When aircraft initially contact Air Traffic
Control Towers, they will state, in one transmission:
1. Who they are addressing
2. The aircraft's full call sign
3. Position in reference to the airport
(or published reporting point)
4. Their request
5. ATIS information they have received
Non-established reporting points are not
to be used when arriving to an airport traffic area. Use the compass rose
position and nautical mileage distance in reference to the airport. Example:
“Scottsdale Tower, Cessna 1234R, 7 miles northwest, touch and go’s with
Alpha.”
When aircraft initially contact the Phoenix
TRACON, they will state, in one transmission:
1. Who they are addressing
2. The aircraft's full call sign
3. Position in reference to a radial and
DME or a prominent landmark
4. Abbreviated request
Example: “Phoenix Approach, Cessna 1234R,
7 east of Gateway Airport, multiple approaches.”
Radio Communications Transfer
When an aircraft is transferred from Phoenix
TRACON to a local Tower or vice versa, that aircraft will treat the radio
transmission as though it is an initial contact and use the phraseology
as described above.
Notes Pertaining to the Area
When performing multiple practice instrument
approaches, it is important to inform both Phoenix Approach and the local
tower facility by stating the fact that the pilot is requesting to do more
than land at the airport. Informing the approach controller and tower
controller of the pilot's intentions “paves-the-way” for future needs.
Some Air Traffic Control Towers have a
“BRITE” in the tower cab which allows that VFR tower controller to see
radar images further than the eye can see. However, this is for informational
purposes only and is not to be used for controlling purposes. Traffic advisories
may be issued to pilots to enhance safety. The pilot-in-command is still
responsible for giving all pertinent information listed above when making
an initial call to the tower.
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