Who to Talk To
In each phase of flight, a different ATC unit is responsible for you. Tap the points on the profile to see when to call each one and what to ask for.
First of all: the ATIS
When: at the gate, before your first call.
What it is: a recording with the runway in use, wind, visibility, altimeter setting and notices. Each version has a letter: Information BRAVO.
What to do: listen, note the letter and report it on your first call. That way the controller knows you have the latest data.
Delivery
When: at the gate, with your flight plan filed, before startup.
What to ask for: your ATC clearance ("request ATC clearance, information BRAVO").
What you get: destination, route, level, departure (SID), squawk code and the Control frequency. Read it all back.
Ground
When: once cleared, ready for pushback or startup.
What to ask for: pushback and startup; then taxi.
What you get: the taxi route to the runway holding point. Read back the runway and any hold instruction ("hold position", "hold short of runway").
Tower
When: approaching the holding point, when Ground tells you to call.
What to ask for: nothing; report that you are ready ("ready for departure").
What you get: clearance to line up and take off, with the wind. After takeoff, Tower hands you over to Control.
Never enter the runway without clearance
Not even to line up. Only Tower can clear you.
Control (APP)
When: right after takeoff, when Tower hands you over.
First call: callsign, current level and cleared level ("climbing to flight level EIGHT ZERO").
What you get: climb, headings and shortcuts. Then the handover to Center.
Center
When: en route, after leaving the terminal area.
What to expect: climb to cruising level, possible shortcuts and, near the destination, descent clearance. Center may hand you over between sectors and between different centers.
Tip: prepare the arrival (STAR, approach, destination ATIS) while still in cruise.
Control · on arrival
When: in descent, when Center hands you over.
First call: callsign, level and the destination ATIS letter.
What you get: the sequence for landing, with vectors, speeds and approach clearance. Follow it precisely: there are other aircraft in line.
Tower · landing
When: on final approach, when Control hands you over.
What you get: landing clearance and the wind. After landing, vacate the runway at the first suitable exit and wait for the instruction to contact Ground.
Ground · on arrival
When: once the runway is vacated.
What to ask for: taxi to the gate or parking stand.
Parked? You can disconnect. Have a good flight!
Nobody on that position? Top-down
The network rarely has every position staffed. When one is empty, the next online position above it serves you. To find who to call, climb the ladder until you find someone:
flowchart LR
DEL["Delivery"] -. empty .-> GND["Ground"] -. empty .-> TWR["Tower"] -. empty .-> APP["Control"] -. empty .-> CTR["Center"]Example: at Guarulhos, with no Delivery, Ground or Tower, but with São Paulo Control online, you call São Paulo Control for clearance, taxi and takeoff.
How to know who is online:
- the network map (VATSIM Radar or similar);
- the controller list in your pilot client, which shows callsign and frequency;
- each controller's information message, which usually states the area they cover.
No ATC at all: UNICOM
If nobody covers your aerodrome, you fly uncontrolled, but not alone. Tune UNICOM, 122.800, and announce your intentions to other pilots at key moments:
- before taxiing and before entering the runway;
- on takeoff;
- when joining the circuit or starting the approach;
- when vacating the runway.
Start and end the message with the aerodrome name, so pilots elsewhere know it is not for them. When you enter an online controller's area, leave UNICOM and call them.
For the details
The Coordination and Transfer Manual explains top-down coverage from the controller's point of view, and the Terminals pages show the coverage order for each TMA.
Now practise the calls in the radio simulator.