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AIM 

4/20/23 

TBL 4

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Summary of Recommended Communication Procedures 

Communication/Broadcast Procedures 

Facility at Airport 

Frequency Use 

Outbound 

Inbound 

Practice 

Instrument 

Approach 

1.  UNICOM (No Tower or 

FSS) 

Communicate with UNICOM 

station on published CTAF 

frequency (122.7; 122.8; 122.725; 

122.975; or 123.0). If unable to 

contact UNICOM station, use 

self-announce procedures on 

CTAF. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure. 

10 miles out. 

Entering 

downwind, base, 

and final. Leaving 

the runway. 

2.  No Tower, FSS, or 

UNICOM 

Self-announce on MULTICOM 

frequency 122.9. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure. 

10 miles out. 

Entering 

downwind, base, 

and final. Leaving 

the runway. 

Departing final 

approach fix 

(name) or on final 

approach segment 

inbound. 

3.  No Tower in operation, 

FSS open (Alaska only) 

Communicate with FSS on CTAF 

frequency. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure. 

10 miles out. 

Entering 

downwind, base, 

and final. Leaving 

the runway. 

Approach com-

pleted/terminated. 

4.  FSS Closed (No Tower) 

Self-announce on CTAF. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure. 

10 miles out. 

Entering 

downwind, base, 

and final. Leaving 

the runway. 

5.  Tower or FSS not in 

operation 

Self-announce on CTAF. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure. 

10 miles out. 

Entering 

downwind, base, 

and final. Leaving 

the runway. 

6.  Designated CTAF Area 

(Alaska Only) 

Self-announce on CTAF 

designated on chart or Chart 

Supplement Alaska. 

Before taxiing and 

before taxiing on 

the runway for 

departure until 

leaving designated 

area. 

When entering 

designated CTAF 

area. 

2.  CTAF (Alaska Only)

. In Alaska, a CTAF may also be designated for the purpose of carrying out 

advisory practices while operating in designated areas with a high volume of VFR traffic. 

3. 

The CTAF frequency for a particular airport or area is contained in the Chart Supplement U.S., Chart 

Supplement Alaska, Alaska Terminal Publication, Instrument Approach Procedure Charts, and Instrument 

Departure Procedure (DP) Charts. Also, the CTAF frequency can be obtained by contacting any FSS. Use of the 

appropriate CTAF, combined with a visual alertness and application of the following recommended good 

operating practices, will enhance safety of flight into and out of all uncontrolled airports. 

c.  Recommended Traffic Advisory Practices 

1. 

Pilots of inbound traffic should monitor and communicate as appropriate on the designated CTAF from 

10 miles to landing. Pilots of departing aircraft should monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency from 

start-up, during taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport unless the CFRs or local procedures require otherwise. 

2. 

Pilots of aircraft conducting other than arriving or departing operations at altitudes normally used by 

arriving and departing aircraft should monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency while within 10 miles 

of the airport unless required to do otherwise by the CFRs or local procedures. Such operations include parachute 

jumping/dropping, en route, practicing maneuvers, etc. 

Services Available to Pilots 

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