AIM

4/3/14

4−1−4

Services Available to Pilots

(b)

Remote Airport Advisory (RAA) is

provided at selected very busy GA airports, which do

not have an operating control tower. The CTAF for

RAA airports is disseminated in the appropriate

aeronautical publications.

(c)

Remote Airport Information Ser-

vice (RAIS) is provided in support of special events

at nontowered airports by request from the airport

authority.

2.

In communicating with a CTAF FSS, check

the airport’s automated weather and establish

two−way communications before transmitting out-

bound/inbound intentions or information. An

inbound aircraft should initiate contact approximate-

ly 10 miles from the airport, reporting aircraft

identification and type, altitude, location relative to

the airport, intentions (landing or over flight),

possession of the automated weather, and request

airport advisory or airport information service. A

departing aircraft should initiate contact before

taxiing, reporting aircraft identification and type,

VFR or IFR, location on the airport, intentions,

direction of take−off, possession of the automated

weather, and request airport advisory or information

service. Also, report intentions before taxiing onto

the active runway for departure. If you must change

frequencies for other service after initial report to

FSS, return to FSS frequency for traffic update.

(a)

Inbound

EXAMPLE

−

Vero Beach radio, Centurion Six Niner Delta Delta is
ten miles south, two thousand, landing Vero Beach. I have
the automated weather, request airport advisory.

(b)

Outbound

EXAMPLE

−

Vero Beach radio, Centurion Six Niner Delta Delta, ready
to taxi to runway 22, VFR, departing to the southwest. I
have the automated weather, request airport advisory.

3.

Airport advisory service includes wind

direction and velocity, favored or designated runway,

altimeter setting, known airborne and ground traffic,

NOTAMs, airport taxi routes, airport traffic pattern

information, and instrument approach procedures.

These elements are varied so as to best serve the

current traffic situation. Some airport managers have

specified that under certain wind or other conditions

designated runways be used. Pilots should advise the

FSS of the runway they intend to use.

CAUTION

−

All aircraft in the vicinity of an airport may not be in
communication with the FSS.

e. Information Provided by Aeronautical

Advisory Stations (UNICOM)

1.

UNICOM is a nongovernment air/ground

radio communication station which may provide

airport information at public use airports where there

is no tower or FSS.

2.

On pilot request, UNICOM stations may

provide pilots with weather information, wind

direction, the recommended runway, or other

necessary information. If the UNICOM frequency is

designated as the CTAF, it will be identified in

appropriate aeronautical publications.

f. Unavailability of Information from FSS or

UNICOM

Should LAA by an FSS or Aeronautical Advisory

Station UNICOM be unavailable, wind and weather

information may be obtainable from nearby

controlled airports via Automatic Terminal Informa-

tion Service (ATIS) or Automated Weather

Observing System (AWOS) frequency.

g. Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions

1. General.

Self-announce is a procedure

whereby pilots broadcast their position or intended

flight activity or ground operation on the designated

CTAF. This procedure is used primarily at airports

which do not have an FSS on the airport. The

self-announce procedure should also be used if a pilot

is unable to communicate with the FSS on the

designated CTAF. Pilots stating, “Traffic in the area,
please advise”

 is not a recognized Self−Announce

Position and/or Intention phrase and should not be

used under any condition.

2.

If an airport has a tower and it is temporarily

closed, or operated on a part-time basis and there is no

FSS on the airport or the FSS is closed, use the CTAF

to self-announce your position or intentions.

3.

Where there is no tower, FSS, or UNICOM

station on the airport, use MULTICOM frequency

122.9 for self-announce procedures. Such airports

will be identified in appropriate aeronautical

information publications.

4. Practice Approaches.

Pilots conducting

practice instrument approaches should be particular-

ly alert for other aircraft that may be departing in the