Tucson International (KTUS) radio calls

Towered airport with a Class C surface area

Sample calls at KTUS

Tucson 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 04; 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 123.8 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. YouTucson Clearance, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, at the ramp with Information Alpha, VFR to the north, request clearance.
3. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Tucson Clearance, maintain VFR at or below two thousand five hundred, departure frequency one one niner point four, squawk four six one two.
4. YouAt or below two thousand five hundred, departure one one niner point four, squawk four six one two, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
5. YouTucson 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, Tucson Ground, runway zero four, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway zero four.
7. YouRunway zero four, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway zero four, 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. YouTucson Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, holding short runway zero four, ready for departure, northbound.
10. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Tucson Tower, runway zero four, cleared for takeoff.
11. YouRunway zero four, cleared for takeoff, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
12. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, contact Tucson Approach one one niner point four.
13. Youone one niner point four, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
14. YouTucson 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, Tucson 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. YouTucson Approach, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, one five miles north, three thousand five hundred, squawking one two zero zero, with Information Bravo, landing Tucson, request Class Charlie service.
19. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Tucson 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 Tucson Tower one one eight point three.
22. YouAltimeter three zero zero one, one one eight point three, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
23. YouTucson Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, five miles north, three thousand, with Bravo.
24. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, Tucson Tower, enter left downwind runway zero four, report midfield downwind.
25. YouEnter left downwind runway zero four, report midfield, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
26. YouTucson Tower, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, midfield left downwind, runway zero four.
27. ATCCessna Six Zero Foxtrot, runway zero four, cleared to land, wind two seven zero at eight.
28. YouRunway zero four, 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 Tucson Ground one two zero point zero two five.
31. YouExit next taxiway, one two zero point zero two five, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot.
32. YouTucson Ground, Cessna Six Zero Foxtrot, clear of runway zero four, 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 →
• How to read the ATIS →

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