Inbound-to-land Phraseology with Tower

[HRutila]

Hey pilots,

I've noticed just a few general things about inbound-to-land phraseology that I wanted to clear up off frequency. The following guidelines will help out your tower controller:

1. Altitudes

There is no need to communicate to me your altitude when you're on an IFR approach to an airport.

Too much info: "Los Angeles Tower, ABC1234, is just outside of the outer marker at 2,200 and descending on the ILS Runway 25L approach, with you."
Concise and complete: "Los Angeles Tower, ABC1234, ILS Runway 25L approach."

Altitudes are needed at the departure/approach and en-route levels, but they are usually not used in the tower environment unless the controller needs the information for something, in which case he or she will ask for it.

2. Runway and approach communication

Generally speaking, if you're IFR, I already know what runway your approach controller has assigned you. From time to time, though, memory lapses and other human factors or operational situations occur which lead to (a) me forgetting your runway assignment or (b) changes in your runway or approach assignment or intentions at the last minute, which are not communicated to me. Therefore, the best practice is to restate your runway assignment and approach on initial contact with the tower.

"Las Vegas Tower, N1234, ILS Runway 25L approach."
"N1234, Las Vegas Tower, Runway 25L, cleared to land."

2. Practice approaches

If you're not conducting a full stop landing, let tower know. Otherwise, we'll probably assume you're coming inbound for a full stop landing.

"Ramona Tower, N1234, ILS Runway 27 approach, request low approach."
"N1234, Ramona Tower, Runway 27, cleared low approach."

3. Don't be too vague.

While I don't need your altitude, I do need a bit more information than this: "Long Beach Tower, N1234." A more appropriate call is "Long Beach Tower, N1234, [type] approach Runway 30."

VFR pilots, you keep on rocking. I've gotten really good calls from every one of you. I will throw this in, however: If your approach controller has assigned you a runway or pattern entry instruction, go ahead and communicate that as well.
"Ontario Tower, N1234, entering left downwind Runway 26L, full stop."
"N1234, Ontario Tower, Runway 26L, cleared to land."

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Additionally, I wanted to say that I have really enjoyed working you as a tower controller. Thanks for being a PilotEdge customer and keeping our airspace busy!