CTAF
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation
| Stands for | Common traffic advisory frequency |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
CTAF stands for Common traffic advisory frequency, an aviation abbreviation.
Radio frequency on which pilots at airports without an operating control tower announce their positions and intentions to one another. CTAF is often the airport's UNICOM frequency, such as 122.7, 122.8 or 123.0 MHz, or the tower frequency after the tower closes for the night.
Example: Lakeview traffic, Skyhawk 6PD, left downwind runway 33, Lakeview; all calls on CTAF 122.8.
Usage notes
Radio calls at US nontowered airports are recommended by FAA guidance (Advisory Circular 90-66) rather than strictly required, and some aircraft without radios still legally use such fields. Calls begin and end with the airport name because nearby airports often share the same frequency.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- CFI – Certified flight instructor
- CFII – Certified flight instructor - instrument
- CFIT – Controlled flight into terrain
- CPDLC – Controller-pilot data link communications
- CPL – Commercial pilot license
- CRM – Crew resource management
- CVR – Cockpit voice recorder
- DA – Decision altitude
- DH – Decision height
- DME – Distance measuring equipment
- DPE – Designated pilot examiner
- EFB – Electronic flight bag