Airports with ATC Control Towers

Control Tower Frequencies are used by pilots to communicate with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at airports that are equipped with a control tower. These frequencies enable pilots to receive instructions for takeoff, landing, taxiing, and maintaining separation from other aircraft.

CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) is used by pilots to announce their position and intentions at non-towered airports or within the vicinity of towered airports if they’re not in direct contact with the control tower. In this case, pilots communicate directly with each other using the CTAF.

They broadcast their position, altitude, and intentions (e.g., “inbound for landing” or “taking off”), allowing other pilots or drone operators in the area to be aware of nearby aircraft and avoid potential conflicts.

Same Frequency as Control Tower:

At some airports, the CTAF may be the same frequency as the control tower frequency. In this case, pilots use the same frequency for both their communications with the ATC tower and for self-announcing their positions when they are not in direct contact with the tower (e.g., when they’re far from the airport or transitioning in and out of controlled airspace).

Drone pilots may listen in on the same frequency to stay aware of manned aircraft when flying within or near controlled airspace, helping them avoid potential conflicts.