Communications

·         When you dial up the frequency, listen first before transmitting -- don’t cut out other transmissions. If the controller has just broadcast a question or instruction to another pilot, allow the pilot time to answer or acknowledge before breaking in. Use the appropriate frequency for the appropriate operation. Use Ground Control for taxi and clearances. Use Local for landing and takeoff.

• Each initial call-up needs to include five things:  

1.      Who you are calling.

2.      Who you are.

3.      Where you are.

4.      What you want to do.

5.      Have ASOS

This doesn’t take long. For example: "Garden City Tower, Cessna five-four-five-four-romeo, 12 miles southeast, inbound for landing/touch and go's, with ASOS". Or, "Garden City Ground, Cherokee six-one-four-seven-hotel, at CPA, taxi with ASOS, southbound departure".

·         Acknowledge all clearances. As controllers, we must know if you heard us.

·         If you don’t understand, ask!  If you aren’t sure what the controller wants you to do, don’t guess. A surprised controller is not a happy one, but more importantly, the controller cannot separate you from traffic if you do something unexpected.

Procedures

·         Don’t land without clearance. This sounds ridiculously simple, yet instances of this are not uncommon at Garden City. There may be something happening on the runway that you are not aware of.

·         "Cleared to land" is not a touch-and-go clearance.

Runway separation standards are different for full stop traffic and touch-and-go aircraft. The tower must know that you intend to do a touch-and-go. If you're going to do something out of the ordinary, let the controller know. You may do something that sends the guy behind you around. If we know what your intentions are we can all plan ahead.

·         When given taxi instructions to the active runway, you cannot enter the runway taxied to at ANY point along that runway.

Example: If you are taxied to Runway 12 via Alpha or Charlie, you MUST hold short at Alpha or Charlie and expect a back taxi. It is a Pilot Deviation/Surface Incident to back taxi on an active runway without a specific clearance from the tower controller.

·         When given hold short of runway instructions, read back the instruction verbatim. "Roger", is not a proper readback.

·         When ready for departure, contact Tower on 118.15  and move to the hold line.  As traffic volume increases, it is important to both you and the controller that you are ready for departure. When we are working with IFR aircraft, Center controls the flow/release of aircraft. We need you ready to go when called, or you or someone behind you may be holding for an extended period.

·         Runway exiting: When exiting a runway, you must taxi past the hold line quickly unless the controller instructs you otherwise. Please exit the runway expeditiously as someone behind you may need the runway.

·         Traffic advisories: When given traffic advisories let the controller know when you have the traffic in sight, or if you lose sight of the traffic. It makes everyone’s job easier when you keep the controller advised on traffic. We do not have any type of RADAR at Garden City and rely on our eyes (binoculars) and accurate pilot reports to report traffic.

• Delta Airspace: Remember to establish communications before entering Delta airspace.  Delta airspace is 5 nautical miles and 5400 msl and below.  Give yourself some leeway, and call at least 7-10 miles out.

Runway/Taxiway Incursions

Enough cannot be said about safety at airports. Ground operations on taxiways and runways must be controlled. Operations on runways and taxiways are not areas where pedestrians, vehicles or aircraft operate without a clearance from air traffic control. If you bring someone out to the airport, make sure they understand the basic rules of being on an airport. Safety cannot be over emphasized.

If you have any questions concerning ATC services at Garden City Airport, don’t hesitate to call Mike Scheiman at 620-276-8994.