Tacan Approach

CHAPTER THREE

SNFO/SWSO VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

The communications sequence begins with hand off from Center to Approach Control. Initial

contact with Approach consists of:

Agency, call sign, altitude, ATIS information (if known), type of approach requested.

Example

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Approach, KATT 814, 9000,

information ECHO, request TACAN, full stop."

Let us analyze this call. The agency is included in all calls. We specified a TACAN approach.

The landing intention requested was for a full stop. Notice we did not specify a particular

runway. Approach will give us clearance for a specific approach and to proceed to the IAF

including any vectors and/or descents.

In most cases, aircraft fly only one approach. Approach Control is expecting your request for

some type of approach, so for comm brevity purposes, including the type of approach will

minimize the communication between your aircraft and Approach.

However, if you will be requesting multiple approaches, the initial call should simply be:

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Approach, BUCK 713, 9000,

information ECHO, request."

Approach will respond with "say request." The aircraft should respond with the type and number

of approaches desired and your landing intentions:

APPR:

"BUCK 713, Pensacola Approach, roger, say your

Request."

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Approach, BUCK 713, request vectors

to TACAN final, touch and go, PAR, low

approach, ASR, full stop."

Prior to arriving at the IAF, Approach should give you an approach clearance. On some

occasions, you may have to ask ("pimp") the controller whether or not you are cleared. A normal

scenario follows:

APPR:

"BUCK 713, descend and maintain 3000 until

SYDNY, cleared TACAN 7 Left."

SNFO/SWSO:

"BUCK 713, leaving 9000 for 3000, cleared

TACAN 7 Left."

From this point, navigate the aircraft to the IAF for the runway in use.

The call announcing the beginning of your approach is made at the IAF:

SNFO/SWSO:

"Pensacola Approach, BUCK 713, leaving 3000."

3-20 IFR COMMUNICATIONS