Why This Matters

Radio Comms Protocosl

Understanding the difference between control tower communication and CTAF is very important for drone pilots operating near airports or in mixed-use airspace.

Even though you aren’t communicating directly with Air Traffic Control (ATC) as a remote pilot, being able to tune into these frequencies gives you a real-time sense of what’s happening in the sky.

Listening in helps you avoid airspace conflicts and stay compliant with FAA rules.

Lesson Focus

Part 107 Test Prep

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand when to monitor CTAF vs. Control Tower frequencies
• Know the difference between towered and non-towered airports
• Recognize when CTAF and tower frequencies are the same
• Identify how manned aircraft use these frequencies to coordinate takeoffs, landings, and pattern movements

Using Control Tower (CT) Frequencies

Definiton & Use

Airports equipped with an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower use control tower frequencies for direct communication between pilots and controllers.

These communications include:

• Takeoff and landing instructions
• Taxi clearances
• Holding patterns
• Altitude assignments
• Separation from other aircraft

When you’re operating an sUAS near a towered airport, it’s absolutely essential to know if you need prior ATC authorization. Furthermore, it’s always smart to listen in on the tower frequency to track incoming or departing manned aircraft.

What is CTAF?

Definition & Use

CTAF stands for Common Traffic Advisory Frequency. It’s the radio channel used for pilot-to-pilot communication to talk to each other directly when there’s no control tower managing the airspace.

It’s used at:

• Non-towered airports (which don’t have an air traffic control tower)
• Towered airports after hours (when the tower is closed)

When pilots fly in or out of these airports, they use CTAF to self-announce their position and intentions. This keeps everyone coordinated in the absence of ATC.

What Do Pilots Say on CTAF?

Examples

Pilots broadcast their position, altitude, and intentions (e.g., “inbound for landing” or “taking off”), allowing other pilots or drone operators in the area to be aware of nearby aircraft and avoid potential conflicts.

You’ll hear things like:

• “Cessna 184, 10 miles west, inbound for landing Runway 27, Camden County Traffic.”
• “Skyhawk departing Runway 13, remaining in the pattern, Trenton Traffic.”
• “Piper 902, midfield left downwind Runway 9, Cape May Traffic.”

All of these statements help other pilots (and you, the drone operator) visualize where the aircraft is, what it’s doing, and what it plans to do next.

Why Drone Pilots Should Listen to CTAF

Situational Awareness

ven though Part 107 remote pilots aren’t required to transmit on CTAF, you are encouraged to listen in when flying near an airport.

This gives you:

• A real-time awareness of any crewed aircraft nearby
• A way to hear landing approaches, pattern activity, or aircraft taking off
• A chance to identify any potential conflict before it happens
• The ability to adjust your drone flight proactively

Especially if you’re flying near Class G or Class E airspace around a non-towered airport, tuning into CTAF will help you stay safe.

Using Identical CTAF & CT Frequency

Field Protocols

At some airports, the CTAF may be the same frequency as the control tower frequency.

In this case, pilots use the same frequency for both their communications with the ATC tower and for self-announcing their positions when they are not in direct contact with the tower (e.g., when they’re far from the airport or transitioning in and out of controlled airspace).

Drone pilots may listen in on the same frequency to stay aware of manned aircraft when flying within or near controlled airspace, helping them avoid potential conflicts.