UA.V.B.K2: ATC towers, such as ensuring the remote pilot can monitor and interpret ATC communications

ACS Area V — Operations Task B: Airport Operations References: ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2, 150/5200-32; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Understanding who’s talking and why it matters near airports

Airport operations begin and end at airports of many types, from small sod fields to major air carrier complexes, and include heliports and seaplane bases. Airport areas also encompass buildings, facilities, and rights of way. operating on or in the vicinity of an airport, you must be able to recognize the sources of airport information and listen effectively for nearby traffic to maintain situational awareness and avoid conflicts.^[1]

Monitoring and interpreting common traffic and advisory communications

When operating near an airport—even if you are not arriving or departing in a manned aircraft—monitor and, when appropriate, communicate on the appropriate airport frequency while within 10 miles of the airport, unless other rules or local procedures require otherwise. This applies to operations such as parachute activity, practicing maneuvers, or en route transits that bring you near the airport traffic area.^[3]

At some nontowered airports, Flight Service Stations (FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.) provide advisory services over the CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports.:

• Local Airport Advisory (LAALocal Airport AdvisoryCloseAn airport advisory service that can provide local traffic and airport information.) is available only in Alaska at airports with an on-field FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. where the tower is absent or part-time.^[3]
• Remote Airport Information Service (RAISRemote Automated Information ServiceCloseA remote advisory or information service referenced in airport and flight service context.) may be provided for special events at nontowered airports upon request by the airport authority.^[3]

When communicating with a CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information., first check the airport’s automated weather and establish two-way communications before transmitting your intentions. For situational awareness, note what inbound aircraft will say; they initiate contact approximately 10 miles from the airport with aircraft identification and type, altitude, location relative to the airport, intentions (landing or overflight), confirmation of automated weather, and a request for airport advisory/information. Departing aircraft initiate contact before taxiing for departure.^[3] monitoring these calls, you should be able to interpret position reports, altitudes, and intentions so you can keep your operation clear of arrival/departure paths and hotspots.

Terminal weather and special activity you may hear

Terminal Weather Information for Pilots (TWIPTerminal Weather Information for PilotsCloseTerminal weather information service for pilots.) disseminates wind shear, microburst, and precipitation alerts for terminal areas. These products cover within 30 NMNautical MileCloseA distance unit used in aviation. One nautical mile is about 1.15 statute miles. of the terminal area and are updated dynamically: during inclement weather—whenever predetermined levels of precipitation or wind shear are detected within 15 miles—text messages update once each minute and character graphic messages every five minutes; during good weather they update every 10 minutes. TWIPTerminal Weather Information for PilotsCloseTerminal weather information service for pilots. improves pilot situational awareness and aids planning for arrivals/departures; for a remote pilot monitoring airport operations, these frequent updates signal rapidly changing hazards that can drive runway configuration changes and traffic flow.^[2]

You may also hear “Flight Check” on the frequency. “Flight check” is the call sign for FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. aircraft conducting inspection/certification of NAVAIDsNavigational AidCloseGround or satellite-based navigation aid used by pilots for position and routing. and procedures. These aircraft may fly grids, orbits, DMEDistance Measuring EquipmentCloseRadio navigation equipment that measures distance from a ground station. arcs, tracks, and low passes along the full length of the runway. They receive special handling from ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services., and other pilots are expected to avoid their flight paths. Treat “Flight Check” activity as a high-priority operation and keep your UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. well clear of inspected approaches and runway corridors.^[5]

Visual traffic cues that support what you hear

When a manned aircraft enters the departure runway to take off or to “line up and wait,” all lights except landing lights should be on to increase conspicuity; landing lights are turned on when takeoff clearance is received, or when commencing takeoff roll at an airport without an operating control tower. If you are monitoring frequency and see aircraft lighting consistent with imminent departure, clear any takeoff/initial climb path and avoid rotor wash or jet blast hazards to your UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components..^[5]

Remote PIC duties that underpin safe airport-area operations

The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is directly responsible for, and is the final authority on, the safe operation of the small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. (§ 107.19). You must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. rating (§ 107.12) and have it and personal identification physically on you and readily accessible during operations. You may not operate or act as remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. or visual observer in more than one small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operation at the same time (§ 107.35). If control transfer between certificated remote pilots is planned (e.g., to maintain line of sight around obstacles), it may be done only if both pilots can maintain visual line of sight. These responsibilities extend to monitoring and interpreting airport communications and adjusting or terminating the flight to remain clear of airport traffic and protected surfaces.^[4]