Video Tip: How to Communicate when Arriving at a Class D Airport

From Sporty’s VFR Communications online course

Flying to and from an airport in Class D airspace is one of the more common communication scenarios a pilot will encounter. While no two airports will function exactly the same, here are some key tips for confidence and success:

• Know the Airspace Dimensions: Class D airspace typically extends from the surface up to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation, but it can vary. Always check the specifics for the airport you’re operating near, as depicted on the sectional chart.
• Communication is Key: You must establish two-way radio communication with the control tower before entering Class D airspace. This means you need to contact the tower on the appropriate frequency and receive a response.
• Read Back Clearances: When you receive instructions or clearances from the tower, read them back to confirm you’ve understood them correctly. This helps prevent miscommunication.
• Be Aware of Traffic: Class D airspace is often busy, especially around airports with a lot of flight activity. Keep a vigilant lookout for other aircraft and listen carefully to the control tower’s instructions and advisories.
• Practice Good Radio Etiquette: Monitor the ATIS before contacting the tower. Use clear and concise language, avoid unnecessary transmissions, and be courteous. This helps maintain efficient and safe operations.

Prepare for your arrival at a Class D airport by listening to the automated weather once in range during a quiet en route portion of the flight. Take your time and listen to all of the details. When you are 20-25 miles from the airport, you should listen again to see if the message has changed. If you hear a new phonetic identifier for the ATIS, note any changes. With the weather information and identifier in hand, contact the tower at approximately 15 miles out. You may not enter the Class D airspace until you have established radio contact with the controller. This means the controller must acknowledge you with your call sign.

Your entry into the traffic pattern at a tower-controlled airport may be on any of the four legs. The tower controller will advise his instructions based upon the runway in use and the direction from which you are approaching. Listen carefully and follow the instructions. Unless it will interfere with current autopilot operations, set the heading bug or HSI to the assigned runway. This provides a memory and visual aid to ensure your arrival on the correct runway.

At some point, the tower controller will clear you to land. Unless you hear this clearance and confirm it with a read back, do not land.

After landing and reaching taxi speed, you should exit the runway promptly at the first available taxiway or on an ATC instructed taxiway. Do not exit the landing runway onto another runway unless authorized by ATC. Do not stop or reverse course on the runway without ATC approval. Taxi clear of the runway and bring your aircraft to a stop unless otherwise directed by ATC.

Change to the ground control frequency when advised by the tower or after clearing the runway. The tower may omit the ground control frequency if the controller believes you will know the frequency. At slower times, the tower controller may be fulfilling the function of ground control as well. He may have you stay on the tower frequency during taxi operations. Follow his instructions.

Obtain your taxi instructions from the ground controller. Read back the instructions and comply with any hold short requirements that you are assigned. Compare the instructions to your taxiway charts and signs that you see after you have completed your read back. When taxiing, you must receive a specific runway crossing clearance to cross or operate on any active, inactive, or closed runway along your route.

Once you are clear of the movement area, you are no longer under the control of ATC.

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VFR Communications is broken down into eight subject areas and 22 individual video segments. The course contains over 60 minutes of engaging 3D animations, in-flight video, and real-world communication scenarios just like this.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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