Briefing
Purpose of this procedure
This briefing note sets out the standard radio procedures to be
used by Tatenhill Aviation students and instructors when operating
at Tatenhill.
The objective is to improve consistency on frequency, support the
Air/Ground operator’s situational awareness and ensure that radio
calls are clear, concise and predictable.
The safe conduct of the flight remains the pilot’s responsibility.
Air/Ground Service
Understanding Tatenhill Radio
An AGCS radio station operator is not necessarily able to view
any part of the aerodrome or surrounding airspace.
Traffic information provided by the Air/Ground operator is therefore
based primarily on reports made by other pilots. Information provided
by the operator may be used to assist the pilot in making decisions,
however the safe conduct of the flight remains the pilot’s responsibility.
Head of Training point:
pilots should clearly report their intentions and position so the
operator and other aircraft can maintain an accurate picture of
activity around the airfield.
After Start
Initial radio call
To assist the operator with situational awareness, pilots should
state the intended flight on the initial start-up call.
The number of persons on board should also be included.
Local Area
Aircraft:
“Tatenhill Radio, G-TALA request taxi information,
local area, 2 POB.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Tatenhill Radio, readability 5,
Runway 26, QNH 1016.”
Aircraft:
“Runway two six, QNH 1016, G-TALA.”
No further response is required from the operator unless
there is an error in the readback.
Circuits
Aircraft:
“Tatenhill Radio, G-TALA request taxi information,
circuits, 2 POB.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Tatenhill Radio, readability 5,
Runway 26, QFE 1001.”
Aircraft:
“Runway 26, QFE 1001, G-TALA.”
Flight to another airfield
Aircraft:
“Tatenhill Radio, G-TALA request taxi information,
flight to Leicester, 1 POB.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Tatenhill Radio, readability 5,
Runway 26, QNH 1016.”
Radio check:
there is no need to request a separate radio check on initial
start-up. The operator will confirm readability from the initial
transmission.
Callsigns:
do not abbreviate the aircraft callsign until the operator first
abbreviates it. There may be another aircraft on frequency with
a similar callsign.
Ground Movement
Taxiing for Runway 26
Aircraft:
“G-TALA taxying holding point Alpha, Runway 26.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
Taxiing for Runway 08
Aircraft:
“G-TALA taxying holding point Delta, Runway 08 via Golf.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Roger, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
If relevant, the operator may instead pass traffic information,
for example an aircraft taxiing on the Northern Taxiway for fuel.
Runway Crossing
Entering Runway 21 for Delta
Aircraft:
“G-TALA, holding point Golf to enter Runway 21 for Delta.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
Aircraft:
“G-TALA entering Runway 21 to Delta.”
If traffic is on final
Operator:
“G-TALA, traffic C152 on final for Runway 21.”
Aircraft:
“G-TALA, holding at Golf.”
Once the aircraft has landed:
Aircraft:
“G-TALA entering Runway 21 for Delta.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, no reported traffic.”
Northern Hangars
Taxiing from the Northern Hangars
Aircraft:
“G-JMCW at holding point Foxtrot, to enter Runway 03
to Golf, taxi on the Northern for fuel.”
Operator:
“G-JMCW, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
Where appropriate the operator may pass traffic information,
for example:
Traffic examples
“G-JMCW, caution one aircraft on final Runway 21.”
Pilot response:
“Holding at Foxtrot, G-JMCW.”
Or:
“G-JMCW, traffic is a C152 taxiing to Golf via Northern Taxiway.”
Departure
Ready for departure
Aircraft:
“G-TALA, holding point Alpha, Delta or Charlie,
ready for departure.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Runway 26, surface wind estimated
190 degrees less than 5 knots.”
Runway occupied
Where the runway is occupied, the operator should pass
relevant traffic information before passing the wind.
“G-TALA, runway is occupied, one to vacate,
Runway 26, surface wind estimated
190 degrees less than 5 knots.”
Important:
it is always the pilot’s decision to enter the runway.
The pilot then reports their action:
- “Taking off, G-TALA.”
- “Lining up, G-TALA.”
- “Holding, G-TALA.”
Frequency Change
Changing frequency
When changing frequency, state the station and frequency
being changed to.
Aircraft:
“G-TALA changing to East Midlands on 124.005.”
Operator:
“G-TALA to East Midlands.”
Arrival
Flight inbound
Aircraft:
“Tatenhill Radio, G-TALA overhead Blithfield,
2500 feet, request join.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, Tatenhill Radio, Runway 26,
QFE 1001. No reported traffic.”
Aircraft:
“Runway 26, QFE 1001, joining overhead, G-TALA.”
Relevant reported traffic should be passed where appropriate.
For example:
Traffic information
“G-TALA, traffic is a C152 reported joining overhead
Blithfield, altitude 2300 feet.”
Overhead Join
Joining calls
| Position |
Standard call |
| Overhead |
“G-TALA overhead.” |
| Dead-side |
“G-TALA dead-side descending.” |
| Downwind |
“G-TALA downwind, touch and go”
or “G-TALA downwind to land.”
|
| Final |
“G-TALA final.” |
Final Approach
Runway occupied on final
Example
“G-TALA, runway is occupied, one to depart,
Runway 26, surface wind estimated 260 degrees
15 knots.”
The operator should pass relevant traffic information
before passing the wind.
Important:
it is always the pilot’s decision to continue the approach
or go around.
Responses may include:
- “Roger, continuing, G-TALA.”
- “Roger, landing, G-TALA.”
- “G-TALA going around.”
After Landing
Runway 26
Aircraft:
“G-TALA runway vacated at Charlie, taxying to the main apron
via Runway 03, Golf and the Northern.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
When entering Runway 03:
Aircraft:
“G-TALA entering Runway 03 at Echo.”
If traffic is on final for Runway 21
Operator:
“G-TALA, caution traffic is C152 on final for Runway 21.”
Aircraft:
“G-TALA holding at Echo.”
Backtrack
Runway 26 backtrack
Aircraft:
“G-TALA backtracking Runway 26 to Alpha.”
or
Aircraft:
“G-TALA short backtrack to grass taxiway.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, no reported traffic to affect your backtrack.”
After Landing
Runway 08
Aircraft:
“G-TALA runway vacated at Charlie, taxying to the main apron
via Runway 03, Golf and the Northern.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, nothing known to affect your taxi.”
If taxiing to the Northern Hangars:
Aircraft:
“G-TALA runway vacated at Charlie,
taxying to the Northern hangars via Echo.”
Operator:
“G-TALA, no reported traffic.”
Head of Training Expectation
Required standard
Students should use these calls consistently during training
so that the normal Tatenhill radio sequence becomes familiar
before solo operations.
Instructors should correct poor phraseology, unnecessary
transmissions and any misunderstanding of the authority
of an Air/Ground operator at an early stage.
Clear intentions, accurate position reports and disciplined
listening are all part of good airmanship.
This page is an operational briefing aid based on the
Tatenhill Aviation Radio Procedure. The published procedure
and applicable CAP 413 phraseology remain the primary reference.
