Every call of a VFR flight, in order

A private pilot flight has a fixed set of calls: the ATIS, taxi with Ground, the departure with Tower, flight following with Approach, the arrival, the pattern and, at a non-towered field, the CTAF. TowerTalk teaches each one from the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, then lets you fly the whole sequence against an AI controller at real airports.

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From the ramp to the tie-down

Nine cross-country journeys between real US airports: Ground, Tower, flight following, the arrival tower or the CTAF, hand-off by hand-off, with every call graded.

The calls that catch students

'Line up and wait', hold-short readbacks, 'cleared for the option', 'traffic in sight' versus 'negative contact', 'radar service terminated, squawk VFR', and self-announcing with the airport name first and last.

Emergencies, rehearsed

MAYDAY and PAN-PAN in the AIM 6-3-2 order, fuel in minutes, 7700, and what to do when the radio dies inbound to a towered airport.

Graded against the AIM

Each point of feedback carries its AIM or Pilot/Controller Glossary paragraph, so you can check it and so can your CFI.

How it works

1
Learn the call
A study card with the AIM paragraph and a worked example.
2
Practice it
The exercise for that call, at your airport, with today's altimeter.
3
Fly the sequence
A journey or scenario that strings the calls together.
4
Take the radio check
A full VFR flight, graded, before the real checkride.

Frequently asked

Which calls does it cover?

Initial contact, readbacks, position reports, ATIS and 'have numbers', taxi and tower clearances, flight following and radar services, Class B, C and D, Special VFR, the traffic pattern, arrivals, CTAF self-announcing, transponder codes, light gun signals, radio failure, and distress and urgency calls.

Is it accurate to what my instructor teaches?

It is written from the FAA AIM, the Pilot/Controller Glossary and JO 7110.65 with paragraph references, so you can check any point against the source. Your instructor and examiner remain the authorities; TowerTalk is not FAA approved.

Can I use my own call sign?

Yes. Set your N-number and aircraft type in your profile and every prompt, controller reply and grade uses them.

Is it free?

Free to start: the radio check needs no account, and a free account gives you the study library, the free assessment and one free mock exam.

Fly the whole flight on the radio before you fly it in the airplane

Free to start. Nine journeys, sixty exercises, one controller who never gets impatient.

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