Basic Ground Communications
OBJECTIVE
Provide trainees with a foundational understanding of aviation radio communications, including standard phraseology, phonetic alphabet usage, radio procedures, and emergency protocols, to ensure clear and effective interaction with air traffic control (ATC), ground services, and other pilots during virtual flight operations.
CONTENT
ICAO Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet is used to spell out words clearly over the radio to avoid misunderstandings. Memorize these:
The "Who, Who, What" Format
Every radio transmission should follow the Who, Who, What format:
Who you're calling
(Facility name)
Who you are
(Your callsign)
What you want/need
(Your request/report)
EXAMPLE
"Laughlin Ground, BULLY54, ready to taxi, with information Alpha."
- • Key terms: "Roger" = received, "Wilco" = will comply, "Affirm/Negative" = yes/no
- • Listen before transmitting, speak clearly, and always readback instructions
Typical VFR Radio Sequence at Controlled Airports
Follow this sequence from startup to departure at a towered airport:
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service)
When: Before contacting any ATC facility. Listen only—no transmission required.
Purpose: Get current weather, active runways, NOTAMs, and the ATIS code (Alpha, Bravo, etc.). You'll tell ATC you "have information [code]."
Clearance Delivery
When: After obtaining ATIS, before requesting taxi. Used at busier airports to get your departure instructions.
Purpose: Receive your VFR departure clearance, departure frequency, and squawk code.
PILOT REQUEST
"Laughlin Clearance, BULLY54, VFR to Midland at 5,500, with information Alpha."
ATC RESPONSE
"BULLY54, cleared VFR to Midland, maintain VFR at or below 5,500, departure frequency 124.0, squawk 4521."
PILOT READBACK
"Cleared VFR to Midland, at or below 5,500, departure 124.0, squawk 4521, BULLY54."
Ground Control
When: After receiving clearance (or after ATIS if no clearance delivery), ready to taxi.
Purpose: Request and receive taxi instructions to the runway.
PILOT REQUEST
"Laughlin Ground, BULLY54, ready to taxi with information Alpha."
ATC RESPONSE
"BULLY54, runway 31, taxi via Alpha, hold short runway 31."
PILOT READBACK
"Taxi to runway 31 via Alpha, hold short runway 31, BULLY54."
Tower
When: Upon reaching the End of Runway (EOR) / hold short line. Ground may instruct you to contact tower, or you switch automatically when ready at the hold short line.
Purpose: Receive takeoff clearance and any departure instructions.
PILOT (AT HOLD SHORT)
"Laughlin Tower, BULLY54, holding short runway 31, ready for departure."
ATC RESPONSE
"BULLY54, winds 310 at 8, runway 31, cleared for takeoff,."
PILOT READBACK
"Cleared for takeoff runway 31, BULLY54."
Note: Tower may also say "Line up and wait" (taxi onto runway but hold), or "Hold short" (remain off the runway).
Departure Control
When: After takeoff, tower will instruct you to contact departure (frequency given during clearance).
Purpose: Radar services, traffic advisories, and handoff to Center for enroute flight.
TOWER HANDOFF
"BULLY54, contact Departure 124.0."
PILOT READBACK
"Contact Departure 124.0, BULLY54."
PILOT INITIAL CONTACT
"Laughlin Departure, BULLY54, 1,500 climbing 5,500."
ATC RESPONSE
"BULLY54, radar contact, proceed on course Midland."
PILOT READBACK
"Proceed on course Midland, BULLY54."
Center (Enroute)
When: Departure will hand you off to Center when leaving their airspace.
Purpose: Enroute radar services for VFR flight following until nearing destination.
DEPARTURE HANDOFF
"BULLY54, contact Fort Worth Center 132.45."
PILOT READBACK
"Contact Center 132.45, BULLY54."
PILOT INITIAL CONTACT
"Fort Worth Center, BULLY54, 5,500."
Uncontrolled Airport Communications (CTAF/Unicom)
At non-towered airports, you self-announce on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). Follow this format:
Self-Announce Format:
"[Airport] Traffic, [Callsign], [What you're doing], [Airport] Traffic"
Typical sequence from parking to departure:
TAXIING
"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, taxiing from the ramp to runway 16, Stanton Traffic."
TAKING THE RUNWAY
"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, taking runway 16 for departure to the north, Stanton Traffic."
DEPARTING
"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, departing runway 16, straight out departure to the north, Stanton Traffic."
LEAVING THE AREA
"Stanton Traffic, BULLY54, clear of the area to the north, Stanton Traffic."
Remember: At uncontrolled airports, you're announcing your intentions—not requesting permission. Monitor the frequency and maintain situational awareness for other traffic.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in basic ground communications through role-playing exercises and oral quizzing. Trainees must:
- • Accurately use the phonetic alphabet
- • Demonstrate understanding of the "Who, Who, What" communication format
- • Correctly sequence through ATC facilities (ATIS → Clearance → Ground → Tower → Departure → Center)
- • Provide correct phraseology examples for at least five scenarios (e.g., taxi request, takeoff clearance, departure check-in)
- • Demonstrate proper self-announce procedures at uncontrolled airports
- • Explain lost communications procedures per FAA standards
Completion: Demonstrate understanding through discussion and scenario exercises