Making a CTAF radio call — transcript

00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:04.862 Making a CTAF radio call. What to say, and how to listen.

00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:11.713 Near a non-controlled aerodrome, aircraft share a common traffic advisory frequency,

00:00:11.713 --> 00:00:14.317 the CTAF. No air traffic service monitors it.

00:00:14.317 --> 00:00:17.035 Pilots broadcast their position and intentions,

00:00:17.035 --> 00:00:19.752 and inbound aircraft call by 10 nautical miles.

00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:27.059 A report is addressed to one ground station. A broadcast goes to everyone nearby,

00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:29.449 addressed to the aerodrome's traffic.

00:00:30.900 --> 00:00:36.136 Before you speak, charge the radio, switch it on, select the CTAF from the ERSA,

00:00:36.136 --> 00:00:39.756 set the squelch until the hiss stops, and listen first.

00:00:42.400 --> 00:00:47.624 Every CTAF broadcast follows the same order. Location, aircraft type, callsign,

00:00:47.624 --> 00:00:51.673 then position, level and intentions. Then the location again.

00:00:52.900 --> 00:00:58.811 Here's the course example. Parkes traffic. Cessna one seven two. Zulu Tango Quebec.

00:00:58.811 --> 00:01:02.330 One zero miles north, inbound on descent. Parkes.

00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:08.721 The aerodrome name opens and closes the call. Plan it before you press to talk,

00:01:08.721 --> 00:01:09.628 and keep it brief.

00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:17.897 Quick check. What do you say at both the start and the end of a CTAF broadcast?

00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:22.802 The aerodrome's location.

00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:28.620 On a radio check, how do you read is answered on a scale of one to five.

00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:33.360 One is unreadable. Three is readable with difficulty. Five is perfectly readable.

00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:42.271 Use the standard words. Affirm means yes. Negative means no.

00:01:42.271 --> 00:01:49.059 Roger means I have received your message. It doesn't mean yes. Wilco: I will comply.

00:01:49.059 --> 00:01:52.812 Say again: repeat your message. Standby: wait.

00:01:53.162 --> 00:01:55.089 Before launch near an aerodrome,

00:01:55.089 --> 00:01:58.416 your drone broadcast is the voice version of your NOTAM.

00:01:58.416 --> 00:02:02.619 Make it 15 minutes before launch, then every 15 minutes while airborne.

00:02:05.162 --> 00:02:08.010 Kingaroy traffic, unmanned DJI Mavic,

00:02:08.010 --> 00:02:11.607 operating within seven zero zero metres radius,

00:02:11.607 --> 00:02:14.604 tree nautical miles south of the field,

00:02:14.604 --> 00:02:20.374 aerial surveying not above four hundred feet, for the next two fife minutes.

00:02:20.374 --> 00:02:21.123 Kingaroy.

00:02:21.473 --> 00:02:26.253 Unmanned DJI Mavic, Cessna Alpha Bravo Charlie, roger.

00:02:26.603 --> 00:02:31.632 To recap: listen first, name the aerodrome at both ends, use standard words,

00:02:31.632 --> 00:02:33.787 and broadcast before you launch.

00:02:34.603 --> 00:02:37.843 Last one. A pilot replies roger. What does that mean?

00:02:39.003 --> 00:02:41.407 I have received your message. It doesn't mean yes.