Chicago/Rockford International (KRFD) radio calls

Towered airport with a Class D surface area

Sample calls at KRFD

Chicago/Rockford International has a Class D surface area: establish two-way communication with the tower before entering (AIM 3-2-5 b 3). A reply that uses your call sign, even "standby", establishes it; "aircraft calling, standby" does not. The calls below use runway 01; the tower assigns the runway in use on the day.

The aircraft is the AIM’s own example, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot; the squawk codes, altitudes and headings are illustrative. Frequencies, station names and runway numbers are this airport’s, from the FAA data.

1. Listen to the ATIS on 127.6 first and note the letter; "with Information (letter)" on your first call lets the controller skip the weather (JO 7110.65 3-10-1).
2. YouRockford Clearance, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, at the ramp with Information Alpha, VFR to the north, request clearance.
3. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Rockford Clearance, maintain VFR at or below two thousand five hundred, departure frequency one two six point zero, squawk four six one two.
4. YouAt or below two thousand five hundred, departure one two six point zero, squawk four six one two, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
5. YouRockford Ground, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, at the ramp with Information Alpha, request taxi, VFR departure to the north.
6. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Rockford Ground, runway zero one, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway zero one.
7. YouRunway zero one, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway zero one, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
8. The runway, any clearance onto a runway and every hold-short instruction are read back (AIM 4-3-18 a 9). Stay on Ground through the run-up and switch to Tower when ready (AIM 4-3-14 a).
9. YouRockford Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, holding short runway zero one, ready for departure, northbound.
10. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Rockford Tower, runway zero one, cleared for takeoff.
11. YouRunway zero one, cleared for takeoff, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
12. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, contact Rockford Approach one two six point zero.
13. Youone two six point zero, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
14. YouRockford Approach, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, two thousand climbing four thousand five hundred, request VFR flight following to the north.
15. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Rockford Approach, radar contact, altimeter three zero zero one.
16. YouAltimeter three zero zero one, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
17. Inbound: call the tower about 15 miles out, before the Class D boundary (AIM 4-3-2 a).
18. YouRockford Tower, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, one five miles north, three thousand, with Information Bravo, landing Rockford.
19. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Rockford Tower, enter left downwind runway zero one, report midfield downwind.
20. YouEnter left downwind runway zero one, report midfield, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
21. YouRockford Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, midfield left downwind, runway zero one.
22. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, runway zero one, cleared to land, wind two seven zero at eight.
23. YouRunway zero one, cleared to land, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
24. The wind is information: acknowledged, not read back. Exit at the first available taxiway or as told, taxi clear of the hold-short markings, and change to Ground only when the tower says (AIM 4-3-21).
25. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, exit at the next taxiway, contact Rockford Ground one two one point niner.
26. YouExit next taxiway, one two one point niner, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
27. YouRockford Ground, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, clear of runway zero one, taxi to the ramp.

If things change. The tower operates 24 hours. If you cannot raise it, check the frequency and volume, then squawk 7600, remain outside the Class D until you have the traffic flow, and watch for light signals (AIM 4-2-13).

Phraseology from AIM 4-2-3; 4-3-18 a 9; 4-3-14; 4-3-21; 4-4-7 b; 4-1-18 a 3; 3-2-5 b 3; 4-3-2 a. What TowerTalk grades against →

The calls you will make here

• How to call Ground for taxi →
• Calling the tower inbound →
• Line up and wait, cleared for takeoff, cleared to land →
• First time flying into a Class D airport →
• How to request VFR flight following →
• How to read the ATIS →

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