Most flight training happens at airports without a control tower, where there is no one to give you clearances. Instead, pilots talk to each other on a common frequency, announcing where they are and what they intend to do. This self-announce system is simple, and learning the standard position reports in the traffic pattern will make you a safe, predictable neighbor in the sky.
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What “non-towered” means
A non-towered airport has no operating control tower, so no one issues clearances or separates traffic. Pilots are responsible for spacing themselves using see-and-avoid and by communicating their intentions. The vast majority of U.S. airports are non-towered, which is why this is core student knowledge.
CTAF and UNICOM
The frequency everyone uses to self-announce is the CTAF, the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency. At many fields the same frequency is also a UNICOM, a non-government station where you can request basic information such as the favored runway or wind, often from a fixed-base operator on the field. You self-announce on the CTAF whether or not anyone answers; the point is that other pilots hear you.
How to self-announce
Self-announce calls follow the same four-part pattern as any radio call, and it is good practice to begin and end with the airport name so latecomers can orient themselves. The pattern is: airport name and “traffic,” your aircraft, your position, your intention, then the airport name again.
- “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, ten miles south, inbound for landing, Springfield.”
If you need the latest field information you can call UNICOM directly, for example “Springfield UNICOM, Cessna 12345, requesting airport advisory.” Remember there are no clearances here; UNICOM gives advisories, not instructions.
Standard position reports in the pattern
The traffic pattern is the rectangular path aircraft fly to take off and land. Announcing each leg lets other pilots build a mental picture of where everyone is. The common reports are:
- Entering the pattern: “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, entering left downwind, runway 18, Springfield.”
- Turning base: “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, left base, runway 18, Springfield.”
- Turning final: “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, final, runway 18, Springfield.”
- Clear of the runway: “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, clear of runway 18, Springfield.”
For departures you announce before taking the runway and again when leaving the pattern, for example “Springfield traffic, Cessna 12345, departing runway 18, departing to the south, Springfield.”
No clearances, but plenty of courtesy
Because no one is in charge of the frequency, good habits matter. Listen before you transmit, keep calls short, use the airport name so people on similar frequencies elsewhere are not confused, and never assume your radio call replaces looking outside. Many aircraft at non-towered fields have no radio at all, so see-and-avoid always comes first. At a field inside controlled airspace you may also have towered-airport communication on some flights, depending on the airspace class.
The gear that helps
What you'll need
The radio gear and references student pilots actually use, all from PilotMall.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CTAF and UNICOM?
CTAF is the common frequency pilots use to self-announce at a non-towered airport. UNICOM is a non-government station, often on the same frequency, that can provide advisories like the favored runway, but it does not issue clearances.
Do I need a clearance at a non-towered airport?
No. There is no control tower to issue clearances. Pilots separate themselves using see-and-avoid and by announcing their positions and intentions on the CTAF.
What position reports should I make in the pattern?
Commonly when entering downwind, turning base, turning final, and when clear of the runway, each beginning and ending with the airport name.
What if another aircraft has no radio?
It can happen, since radios are not required at every non-towered field. That is why see-and-avoid always comes first and your radio call never replaces looking outside.