Sporty's Aviation Tips: ATC communications at a towered airport

[0:07]Now, we're going to take a closer look at the procedures required to depart an airport with an air traffic control tower. After listening to the ATIS and when ready to taxi to the takeoff runway, call ground control with your request. Remember the four W's when making this call. Walk at ground, Cessna 12064 at Hangar 12 VFR Northbound with information Delta. 12064 ground runway 21 right taxi via Charlie Alpha cross runway 25 and hold short to on right. Okay, taxi 21 right via Charlie Alpha cross runway 25 and hold short 21 right. 12064. Once you begin taxiing, ensure you clearly understand your route and clearance limit. Focus solely on this task and defer any aircraft checks, GPS programming or other distractions until your position at the run-up area. Stay tuned to ground control as you taxi until reaching the takeoff runway in case there are any changes or further instructions. Probably the biggest difference in towered and non-towered fields, besides making more radio calls, is that tower controlled fields are likely to be busier, which is why they have a tower. So you need to be considerate of the other airplanes operating and remain vigilant. Many airports offer a run-up area offset from the runway near the entrance to the runway. To provide space to complete your run-up without blocking the taxiway. When finished with your before takeoff checks, taxi up to the hold short line. Or get in line for takeoff if there are other airplanes waiting. You're now ready to contact the tower advising them that you're ready to go. Again, remember the four W's. Walk at Tower, Cessna 12064, holding short of 21 right, ready for departure. 12064, looking at Tower, hold short runway 21 right. Traffic crossing the runway. Hold short 21 right, Skyhawk 064. From here on out, it's a matter of following the directions given to you by the tower. 064, turn right on course, runway 21 right, clear for takeoff. Clear for takeoff 21 right and right on course. 064. Tower controlled fields are easy to manage when you're prepared and you'll be comfortable flying into controlled fields very soon.