Sacramento International (KSMF) radio calls

Towered airport with a Class C surface area

Sample calls at KSMF

Sacramento International has a Class C surface area: establish two-way communication with the approach control before entering, and keep it (AIM 3-2-4 c 3). A reply with your call sign, even "standby", establishes it. The calls below use runway 17L; 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. There is no ATIS frequency in the FAA data for this airport, so ask Ground for the numbers on your first call: they will give the runway, wind and altimeter.
2. YouCapitol Clearance, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, at the ramp with Information Alpha, VFR to the north, request clearance.
3. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Capitol Clearance, maintain VFR at or below two thousand five hundred, departure frequency one two five point two five, squawk four six one two.
4. YouAt or below two thousand five hundred, departure one two five point two five, squawk four six one two, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
5. YouCapitol 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, Capitol Ground, runway one seven left, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway one seven left.
7. YouRunway one seven left, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway one seven left, 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. YouCapitol Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, holding short runway one seven left, ready for departure, northbound.
10. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Capitol Tower, runway one seven left, cleared for takeoff.
11. YouRunway one seven left, cleared for takeoff, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
12. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, contact NorCal Approach one two five point two five.
13. Youone two five point two five, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
14. YouNorCal 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, NorCal Approach, radar contact, altimeter three zero zero one.
16. YouAltimeter three zero zero one, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
17. Inbound: call the approach control before the Class C boundary; a reply with your call sign establishes communication and you may enter (AIM 3-2-4 c 3).
18. YouNorCal Approach, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, one five miles north, three thousand five hundred, squawking one two zero zero, with Information Bravo, landing Capitol, request Class Charlie service.
19. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, NorCal Approach, squawk four six one two, ident.
20. YouSquawk four six one two, ident, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
21. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, radar contact, altimeter three zero zero one, contact Capitol Tower one two five point seven.
22. YouAltimeter three zero zero one, one two five point seven, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
23. YouCapitol Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, five miles north, three thousand, with Bravo.
24. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Capitol Tower, enter left downwind runway one seven left, report midfield downwind.
25. YouEnter left downwind runway one seven left, report midfield, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
26. YouCapitol Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, midfield left downwind, runway one seven left.
27. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, runway one seven left, cleared to land, wind two seven zero at eight.
28. YouRunway one seven left, cleared to land, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
29. 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).
30. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, exit at the next taxiway, contact Capitol Ground one two one point seven.
31. YouExit next taxiway, one two one point seven, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
32. YouCapitol Ground, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, clear of runway one seven left, 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; 3-2-4 c 3. 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 →
• Class C airport radio calls →
• How to request VFR flight following →

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