What is the difference between UNICOM and CTAF?

Pilots use a CTAF to communicate with each other and coordinate their movements. UNICOM, on the other hand, is more like a customer service desk at the airport. It's a radio frequency that pilots use to talk to airport staff, usually at small airports.



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The CTAF is clearly labeled on aeronautical charts for every airport. It's shown with a C in a solid circle appearing after the CT (Control Tower), UNICOM, or MULTICOM frequency. At towered airports, the CTAF will be listed because it is used after a part-time tower closes for the night.

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CTAF Frequencies The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) or Unicom frequencies are typically used at nontowered airports. The most common are 122.7, 122.8, 122.9, 123.0. 123.050 MHz with 122.950 being the usual CTAF frequency of choice for airports with a tower.

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So according to the AIM, for landing, we will make only five calls: Ten miles out, entering downwind, base, final and leaving the runway. Departing, just two, before taxiing, and again before taxiing on the runway for departure.

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Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways. To provide a visual indication to pilots that a runway is temporarily closed, crosses are placed on the runway only at each end of the runway. The crosses are yellow in color.

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In class E airspace, IFR aircraft are controlled by ATC. This might be a center facility (Air Route Traffic Control Center) or approach/departure facility. As a VFR aircraft, you aren't required to be in contact with ATC, but IFR aircraft must operate on an ATC clearance. That means the airspace is controlled.

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