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Make The Call?

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"Do I need to make a radio call before taxiing at a non-towered airport?" - Joe P.

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Bob:

“The Aeronautical Information Manual (or AIM) does recommend a self-announcement before taxi and before taking the runway for departure on our outbound leg from a non-towered airport.

Also important would be a call before back taxiing on an active runway or crossing another runway during your taxi.

Having said this, radio discipline is critical. If the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is congested, adding a self-announcement before taxi can be counterproductive.

There is no substitute for awareness while operating on any airport. Operations at airports without operating control towers require the highest degree of vigilance. Pilots should self-announce on the CTAF, and follow recommended airport advisory practices—but in all cases, radio discipline is critical.”

How often do you self-announce on the radio before taxiing at non-towered airports?

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #96 “Hat Trick” is now available. Your mostly grown children go to college or work in three states across the midwest. Visiting one by car is a long drive both ways, but you can plan a loop trip in your Mooney and get all three with ease. It’s your spouse’s birthday soon and you concoct a plan to meet each kid for dinner over a long weekend as a birthday surprise—if the weather cooperates. It’s July and convection plus your lagging IFR proficiency makes VFR a must. Cells will move through over the next three days, but there should be a sequence of destinations and a set of routes that will make this plan work, right? Watch the Intro video.

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