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VFR at towered airports

Every call for a VFR flight from a towered Class D field to a Class C airport, with flight following in between: Palo Alto (KPAO) to Sacramento International (KSMF), about 80 NM. Word meanings and readback rules are in radio fundamentals; fields with no tower are in VFR untowered.

The example route

Palo Alto (KPAO), departureSacramento Intl (KSMF), arrival
airspaceClass D 0700–2100 local, Class G when the tower is closedClass C
weatherATIS 135.275D-ATIS 126.75
clearance deliverynone (Class D)121.1
groundPalo Alto Ground 125.0Capitol Ground 121.7
towerPalo Alto Tower 118.6 (CTAF when closed)Capitol Tower 125.7
approach / departureNorCal Departure 121.3NorCal Approach 125.25 (southwest), 125.4 (west–northeast), 127.4 (east–southeast)
runways13–31, 2,441 ft; right traffic for 3117L–35R, 17R–35L; right traffic for 35R and 17R
notespattern 1,000 ft west, 800 ft east; after takeoff on 31, turn 10° right until the Dumbarton Bridge (noise)South General Aviation parking at the south end, off Papa

Course is about 005° magnetic, so cruise at an odd thousand + 500: 5,500 ft once clear of the San Francisco Class B above the bay. The FAA Chart Supplement and airport diagram name SMF's tower and ground "Capitol"; some older sources and sim data still say "Sacramento". Taxi routes below follow the current airport diagrams but are examples: use what ATC gives you.

ATIS and clearance delivery

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
engine running, before any callKPAO ATIS 135.275nothing: listen"Palo Alto information Charlie … wind three one zero at eight … altimeter three zero zero two … runway three one in use"set the altimeter; note the letter, runway and any NOTAMs
departing a Class B primary airport (always) or a Class C airport that asks for it (ATIS or Chart Supplement: "VFR departures contact clearance delivery")Clearance Delivery, e.g. KSMF 121.1"Capitol Clearance, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, VFR to Palo Alto, four thousand five hundred, with information Delta""Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, departure frequency one two five point two five, squawk four five two one"; Class B adds "cleared out of Bravo airspace" or an altitude limit; or: "hold for release", "call ground when ready to taxi"read back frequency, squawk and any altitude; set the squawk now
Class D field like KPAOno clearance deliveryask Ground for flight following in the taxi call insteadsquawk and departure frequency come from Groundas above

If ATC says…

  • "Information Delta is current": you're on an old ATIS. Say "Skyhawk three alpha bravo, have Delta" after listening.
  • "Say altitude and direction of flight": they need your plan. Answer "northbound, five thousand five hundred".
  • "Standby": wait; call again only if a couple of minutes pass.
  • "Expect a delay": acknowledge, then stay on the frequency and don't move.

Ground and taxi

Call ground from the parking spot with ATIS copied. Taxi instructions are never "cleared": they give the runway, the route and any hold-short (AIM 4-3-18).

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
at the parking spot, ready to movePalo Alto Ground 125.0"Palo Alto Ground, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, at transient parking, with information Charlie, VFR to Sacramento International, northbound departure, request flight following, request taxi""Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Palo Alto Ground, runway three one, taxi via Yankee; squawk four five two one, departure frequency one two one point three"; or: "… taxi via Yankee, hold short of taxiway Alpha"; or: "give way to the Cherokee from your right"; or: "hold position""Runway three one, taxi via Yankee, squawk four five two one, Skyhawk three alpha bravo"; any hold short, read back word for word
unsure of the routeGround"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, unfamiliar with the airport, request progressive taxi"step-by-step: "turn left at Yankee, … continue …"follow each step; stop and ask before guessing
route crosses a runwayGroundnothing until instructed"cross runway one two at Alpha" (always explicit, one runway at a time)read it back; cross without stopping; never cross on a taxi clearance alone
at the run-up areastay on Ground (AIM 4-3-14)nothingnothingrun-up; switch to Tower only when ready to go

If ATC says…

  • "Hold short of runway one two" (or any runway): stop before the hold-short line and read it back; ATC must hear it.
  • "Hold position": stop where you are, now. Answer "holding, Skyhawk three alpha bravo".
  • "Expedite taxi" or "taxi without delay": keep it moving, traffic is waiting.
  • "Monitor tower": switch to the tower frequency and listen; don't call.
  • "Say position": tell them the taxiway and the nearest intersection.
  • If you cross a hold line or taxi the wrong way: stop, then say so ("Skyhawk three alpha bravo, stopped on Yankee short of Alpha, I think I missed the turn").

Tower: takeoff

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
run-up done, at the hold-short linePalo Alto Tower 118.6"Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, ready for departure runway three one, northbound departure""Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Palo Alto Tower, runway three one, cleared for takeoff"; or: "runway three one, line up and wait, traffic landing runway three one" (hold on the runway, max about 90 s); or: "hold short runway three one, traffic on final"; or: "runway three one, cleared for takeoff, northbound departure approved""Runway three one, cleared for takeoff, Skyhawk three alpha bravo"; lights on, roll
at an intersectionTower"… at Bravo, ready for departure runway three one""runway three one at Bravo, cleared for takeoff"read back with the intersection
lined up and waiting over about 90 sTower"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, holding in position runway three one""continue holding" or the takeoff clearancekeep waiting; never roll without "cleared for takeoff"

If ATC says…

  • "Cleared for takeoff, no delay" or "immediate": go now or say "unable" and stay put.
  • "Cancel takeoff clearance": stop if still on the ground; read it back ("aborting, Skyhawk three alpha bravo") and wait.
  • "Hold for wake turbulence": you're behind a heavier aircraft; wait for the new clearance.
  • "Traffic, a Citation on a two-mile final": acknowledge ("traffic in sight" or "looking"); it's why you're waiting.
  • "Say intentions": tell them your departure direction, or "remaining in the pattern".
  • "Unable northbound departure, fly runway heading": fly it, and request your turn later.

Leaving the Delta and flight following

Flight following (radar traffic advisories for VFR) is optional, free and workload-permitting. It's not a clearance: it doesn't let you into Class B, and ATC can drop it any time (AIM 4-1-15, 4-1-18).

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
climbing out, with flight following set up on the groundTowernothing"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact NorCal Departure one two one point three" (about ½ NM past the runway end or later)read back and switch
first call to departureNorCal Departure 121.3"NorCal Departure, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, one thousand one hundred, climbing to three thousand five hundred""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, NorCal Departure, radar contact two miles north of Palo Alto, altimeter three zero zero two"; or: "remain outside Class Bravo airspace"; or: "ident"read back the altimeter; comply
leaving the Class D with no flight followingToweroptional: "Skyhawk three alpha bravo, request frequency change""frequency change approved"; outside the Class D you may leave without asking (AIM 4-3-2)switch to your en route frequency; squawk 1200
clear of the Class D, want flight following nowNorCal Approach (sectional box or EFB)"NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, VFR request""Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, NorCal, go ahead"then give type, position, altitude, destination, cruise altitude (Recipes)

If ATC says…

  • "Unable flight following, workload": acknowledge, squawk 1200, and try the next sector later.
  • "Squawk four five two one and ident": set it, press IDENT once, read back the code.
  • "Remain outside Class Bravo airspace": you're not cleared into it; stay below or around it.
  • "Maintain VFR": you're on your own for clouds and terrain; nothing else changes.
  • "Say altitude" / "verify altitude": state your exact altimeter reading ("three thousand four hundred").

En route handoffs

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
ATC hands you offcurrent NorCal sectornothing"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact NorCal Approach one two five point two five""One two five point two five, Skyhawk three alpha bravo"; switch, listen, check in
check-in on the new frequencynew sector"NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, five thousand five hundred""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, NorCal Approach, altimeter three zero zero one"read back the altimeter
changing cruise altitudecurrent sector"NorCal, Skyhawk three alpha bravo, climbing to five thousand five hundred" (tell them, AIM 4-1-15)"roger"; or: "maintain three thousand five hundred for traffic"comply or say "unable"
leaving to listen to the destination ATIScurrent sector"NorCal, Skyhawk three alpha bravo, request to leave the frequency for two minutes for the Sacramento weather""approved, report back on"copy the ATIS; call "Skyhawk three alpha bravo, back on, with Echo"
ending flight following earlycurrent sector"NorCal, Skyhawk three alpha bravo, request to cancel flight following""radar service terminated, squawk VFR, frequency change approved"squawk 1200; switch

If ATC says…

  • "Radar contact lost": you're too low or out of coverage. Climb if you can, or "roger" and keep navigating.
  • "Radar service terminated, squawk VFR, frequency change approved": set 1200; you're on your own.
  • "Contact NorCal on one two five point two five" and you get no answer: go back to the old frequency and say "unable contact".
  • A traffic call: answer every one ("looking", "traffic in sight", "negative contact").
  • "Suggest heading zero one zero for traffic": it's advisory for VFR; accept or say what you'll do instead.

Arrival: ATIS and the Class C

Class C rule: you may enter once ATC has answered using your callsign. On flight following you already have that; a handoff within NorCal keeps it (AIM 3-2-4).

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
about 30 NM outKSMF D-ATIS 126.75 (on COM2, or after asking to leave the frequency)nothing"Sacramento International information Echo … landing and departing runway one seven left and right …"note letter, runway, altimeter
handed to the SMF sector, on flight followingNorCal Approach 125.25"NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, five thousand five hundred, with information Echo, landing Sacramento International""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, NorCal Approach, descend and maintain two thousand five hundred, expect right downwind runway one seven right"; or: "fly heading three five zero for sequencing"; or: "follow the Bonanza at your eleven o'clock, four miles"read back altitude, heading or runway; "traffic in sight" before you can follow
not on flight following, about 20–25 NM out, before the outer ringNorCal Approach 125.25"NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, two five miles southwest, five thousand five hundred, with information Echo, landing Sacramento International""Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, squawk four five one six" (you're in contact: enter); or: "Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, standby" (in contact: you may enter); or: "Aircraft calling, standby" (not in contact: stay out); or: "remain outside Charlie airspace and standby"set the squawk; only enter after hearing your callsign
inside about 10 NMApproachnothing"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact Capitol Tower one two five point seven"read back; switch

If ATC says…

  • "Remain outside Charlie airspace and standby": orbit or turn away before the ring until they call you.
  • "Say intentions": "full stop at Sacramento International" or "touch-and-go, then back to Palo Alto".
  • "Airport twelve o'clock, eight miles, report it in sight": answer "airport in sight" or "negative contact".
  • "Resume appropriate VFR altitudes": the assigned altitude is over; pick an odd or even + 500 again.

Tower: pattern and landing

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
handed off by approach, or about 15 NM out at a Class D field (AIM 4-3-2)Capitol Tower 125.7"Capitol Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, eight miles southwest, two thousand five hundred, with information Echo, full stop""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, Capitol Tower, enter right downwind runway one seven right, report midfield"; or: "make straight-in runway one seven right, report three-mile final"; or: "enter right base"; or: "runway one seven right, cleared to land"read back the runway and entry; report where asked
at the reporting pointTower"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, midfield right downwind, one seven right""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, number two, follow the Cherokee on base, runway one seven right, cleared to land"; or: "continue" (no clearance yet); or: "extend downwind, I'll call your base"; or: "make short approach"read back the landing clearance; "traffic in sight" for the one you follow
on final, no clearance yetTower"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, short final, one seven right""runway one seven right, cleared to land" or "go around"no clearance by the threshold: go around
want practiceTower, entering downwind (AIM 4-3-23)"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, request touch-and-go" or "request the option""runway one seven right, cleared touch-and-go"; or: "cleared for the option"; or: "right closed traffic approved"read back; tell them if you'll stop on the runway

If ATC says…

  • "Go around": full power, climb, say "going around, Skyhawk three alpha bravo". With no other instruction, overfly the runway, climb to pattern altitude and rejoin via crosswind (P/CG).
  • "Continue": keep flying the approach; a landing clearance is coming. It's not one yet.
  • "Make left three-sixty": a full circle for spacing, then resume; say "left three-sixty" back.
  • "Extend downwind, I'll call your base": keep flying downwind until tower calls "turn base".
  • "Change to runway one seven left, runway one seven left cleared to land": the runway changed; read the new one back.
  • "Cleared to land, hold short of runway …" (LAHSO): accept only if you can stop in the distance; otherwise "unable hold short".
  • "Traffic holding in position runway one seven right": expect it to take off ahead of you; watch it.
  • Never make an unannounced 360° in the pattern (AIM 4-3-5).

After landing

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
slowing on the rolloutTowernothing"Skyhawk three alpha bravo, turn left next taxiway, contact ground point seven"; or: "turn left at Alpha One One, hold short of taxiway Alpha"exit at the first safe turnoff; cross the hold-short line; stop and switch
clear of the runwayCapitol Ground 121.7"Capitol Ground, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, clear of one seven right at Alpha One One, taxi to south general aviation parking""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, Capitol Ground, taxi to the south general aviation ramp via Alpha, Papa"read back any hold short; taxi
tower gave no instructionstay on Towernothing"contact ground" when readydon't switch until told (AIM 4-3-14)
filed a VFR flight planFlight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF, app or "… Radio")"close my VFR flight plan, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Sacramento International""flight plan closed"towers don't close VFR flight plans (AIM 5-1-14)

"Clear of the runway" means the whole airplane is past the runway holding position markings (P/CG).

Class B clearance

Class B needs a clearance: you must hear "cleared through / to enter / out of Bravo airspace". "Radar contact", a squawk code or flight following is not a clearance (AIM 3-2-3, 7110.65 7-9-2).

WhenWho / freqYou sayExpect from ATCYou read back / do
outside the Class B, before its boundarythe Approach frequency charted for that sector, e.g. NorCal for San Francisco"NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, over Palo Alto, three thousand five hundred, request Bravo transition northbound to Petaluma, five thousand five hundred""Skyhawk three alpha bravo, squawk four five two one" … "radar contact … cleared through San Francisco Bravo airspace via the shoreline, maintain five thousand five hundred"read back the whole clearance: "cleared through the Bravo via the shoreline, maintain five thousand five hundred"
cleared inApproachnothingassigned headings, routes or altitudesfly them exactly; say "unable" if they'd put you in cloud
leavingApproachnothing"leaving San Francisco Bravo airspace, resume appropriate VFR altitudes" (often "radar service terminated, squawk VFR")pick a VFR altitude; squawk 1200 if told

If ATC says…

  • "Remain outside Bravo airspace": stay out, below the shelf or around; ask again later.
  • "Remain outside Bravo airspace, expect clearance in five minutes": hold outside; don't enter early.
  • "Squawk four five two one" or "radar contact": still no clearance. Stay out until you hear "cleared".

Recipes

Full script: Palo Alto to Sacramento International

Flight following requested on the ground; one example of each exchange. Letters, codes and headings are made up.

(KPAO ATIS 135.275: "information Charlie, runway three one, altimeter three zero zero two")
 
YOU  Palo Alto Ground, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, at transient parking, with information Charlie,
     VFR to Sacramento International, northbound departure, request flight following, request taxi.
GND  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Palo Alto Ground, squawk four five two one, departure frequency
     one two one point three, runway three one, taxi via Yankee.
YOU  Squawk four five two one, one two one point three, runway three one, taxi via Yankee,
     Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.
     (run-up at the run-up area, then 118.6)
YOU  Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, ready for departure runway three one,
     northbound departure.
TWR  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Palo Alto Tower, runway three one, line up and wait,
     traffic departing runway three one.
YOU  Runway three one, line up and wait, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, runway three one, cleared for takeoff, northbound departure approved.
YOU  Runway three one, cleared for takeoff, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact NorCal Departure.
YOU  NorCal Departure, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
     (121.3)
YOU  NorCal Departure, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, one thousand one hundred, climbing to
     three thousand five hundred.
DEP  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, NorCal Departure, radar contact two miles north of Palo Alto,
     remain outside Class Bravo airspace, altimeter three zero zero two.
YOU  Remain outside Bravo, three zero zero two, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
DEP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, traffic one o'clock, three miles, westbound, a Cessna, two thousand five hundred.
YOU  Traffic in sight, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
YOU  NorCal, Skyhawk three alpha bravo, clear of the Bravo, climbing to five thousand five hundred.
DEP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, roger.
     (one or more NorCal handoffs as you cross the East Bay and the Delta; frequencies vary by sector)
DEP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact NorCal Approach one two five point two five.
YOU  One two five point two five, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
YOU  NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, five thousand five hundred.
APP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, NorCal Approach, altimeter three zero zero one.
YOU  Three zero zero one, Skyhawk three alpha bravo. Request to leave the frequency for two minutes
     for the Sacramento weather.
APP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, approved, report back on.
     (D-ATIS 126.75: "information Echo, runway one seven left and right")
YOU  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, back on, with Echo.
APP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, descend and maintain two thousand five hundred,
     expect right downwind runway one seven right.
YOU  Down to two thousand five hundred, expect right downwind one seven right,
     Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
APP  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, contact Capitol Tower one two five point seven.
YOU  One two five point seven, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
YOU  Capitol Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, eight miles southwest, two thousand five hundred,
     with information Echo, full stop.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, Capitol Tower, enter right downwind runway one seven right,
     report midfield.
YOU  Right downwind one seven right, report midfield, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
YOU  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, midfield right downwind, one seven right.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, number two, follow the Cherokee on a one-mile final,
     runway one seven right, cleared to land.
YOU  Traffic in sight, number two, runway one seven right, cleared to land, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, turn left next taxiway, contact ground point seven.
YOU  Left next taxiway, ground point seven, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
     (121.7, clear of the runway)
YOU  Capitol Ground, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, clear of one seven right at Alpha One One,
     taxi to south general aviation parking.
GND  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, Capitol Ground, taxi to the south general aviation ramp via Alpha, Papa.
YOU  Via Alpha, Papa to the south general aviation ramp, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.

Leaving a Class C with clearance delivery

Return leg from KSMF. Call Clearance Delivery with the ATIS, then Ground; the tower hands you to departure.

YOU  Capitol Clearance, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, VFR to Palo Alto, four thousand five hundred,
     with information Foxtrot.
CLR  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, departure frequency one two five point two five, squawk four five two six.
YOU  One two five point two five, squawk four five two six, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.
YOU  Capitol Ground, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, south general aviation ramp, with Foxtrot,
     ready to taxi.
GND  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, runway one seven right, taxi via Papa, Alpha.
YOU  Runway one seven right, taxi via Papa, Alpha, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.
     (run-up, then Capitol Tower 125.7: "ready for departure runway one seven right, southwest departure")

Asking for flight following in the air

Two steps: call-up, then the details after "go ahead" (AIM 4-2-3).

YOU  NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, VFR request.
APP  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, NorCal Approach, go ahead.
YOU  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, a Cessna one seventy-two, five miles northeast of Palo Alto,
     two thousand five hundred climbing to five thousand five hundred, request flight following
     to Sacramento International.
APP  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, squawk four five two one.
YOU  Four five two one, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.
APP  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, radar contact six miles northeast of Palo Alto,
     altimeter three zero zero two.
YOU  Three zero zero two, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.

Entering a Class C without flight following

Call before the outer ring. Only your callsign in the reply lets you in.

YOU  NorCal Approach, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, two five miles southwest, five thousand five hundred,
     with information Echo, landing Sacramento International.
APP  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, standby.
     (you're in contact: you may enter, keep listening)
APP  Aircraft calling NorCal, standby.
     (not in contact: stay outside the Class C)

Coming back to a Class D (Palo Alto)

About 15 NM out, with the ATIS; expect a pattern entry and a report point.

YOU  Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, one two miles east, two thousand five hundred,
     with information Golf, full stop.
TWR  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, Palo Alto Tower, enter right downwind runway three one,
     report midfield.
YOU  Right downwind three one, report midfield, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo.

Closed traffic for landing practice

Ask before takeoff or when entering downwind; say how many if the tower asks.

YOU  Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, ready for departure runway three one,
     request right closed traffic.
TWR  Skyhawk one two three alpha bravo, right closed traffic approved, runway three one,
     cleared for takeoff.
YOU  Right closed traffic, runway three one, cleared for takeoff, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
YOU  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, right downwind, request touch-and-go.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, runway three one, cleared touch-and-go.
YOU  Runway three one, cleared touch-and-go, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.

Go-around

Fly first, talk second.

TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, go around, aircraft on the runway.
YOU  Going around, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.
TWR  Skyhawk three alpha bravo, make right traffic, re-enter right downwind runway three one.
YOU  Right traffic, re-enter right downwind three one, Skyhawk three alpha bravo.

References