PilotEdge Forums

Hi,

Once again another newbie question for the masses.

How do I know what to call an airfield using the charts ? (especially for non-towered calls on CTAF)

Example: If I look at the AFD, Is it based on whatever is in the ICAO code?

San Gabriel Valley (EMT) (KEMT)

therefore we say, "El Monte traffic..."

Another Example (contradicts the above):

John Wayne Airport - Orange Co. (SNA) (KSNA)

We don't say "Orange County..." or "Santa Ana traffic..." Do we?

Thanks

I don't believe there is any mandate to choose which one to say. Use what's is on the directory or airport data block on the sectional.
I would be interested if someone could tell me differently.

How about KTRM? When I see that in the chart block, I'm thinking "Cochran traffic..." but I have watched several RW videos where pilots consistently use "Thermal traffic..."

Maybe I am splitting hairs, just had an honest doubt about it, especially since I have to fly without ATC much of the time after hours because of my schedule.

Plus I love to see how fast you folks jump on these questions

I would like to see someone else jump in on this lol.
I have the "unread" link bookmarked on my phone. This is my social media haha

This is actually typical (confusion) in real world as well. I'm a controller in MN and once in a while I clear an aircraft to the name of the city where it's located or the common name that pilots/controllers use. Technically we're supposed to use the actual name of the airport. Take for example, KRZN airport. The name is Burnett County Airport. But everyone calls it Siren airport. RZN or Siren is actually the VOR located on the field.

In your case, I think for uncontrolled, I'd just do my best to announce clearly where I'm landing or departing. Or, like the other night flying into L88, because I can't pronounce New Cuyama (because I'm a northerner lol), I just called in with "Lima 88 traffic"

The other one in the PE area that I can never decide what to call it is Avalon, Santa Catalina Island or KAVX. Half the time I ask for clearance to Avalon, half to Santa Catalina. Avalon is quicker to say hehe.

Glad to hear that I am not the only one with doubts. One of my favorite pilots on youtube is in and out of KAVX a lot and he always says "Catalina traffic..."

Thanks for weighing in on this Ryan

This is a big problem in real world aviation communication for the reasons mentioned above.

There are two fields in northwest Indiana -- White Co (MCX) in Monticello, and Starke Co (OXI) in Knox -- which share the same CTAF frequency and are located within radio range of each other. Because the county names are printed on the chart, most people use the county names on CTAF, but distinguishing "Starke" from "White" on a VHF radio is nearly impossible. Very few people use the city names. To make things even more complicated, they share a common runway configuration (single runway, 18/36). The bottom line is you just have to be careful, and always know the city names and airport names for where you're going, as either can be referenced on the radio.

I live in North Carolina and, not too long ago, the was some serious misfortune at a non towered airport involving two small aircraft - not sure was the investigation has revealed, if anything yet, but I try to be as specific as I can, wherever I am.