Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

A Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is the designated radio frequency for pilots to broadcast their position, intentions, and traffic information when operating at or near an airport without an operating control tower.

At non-towered airports, there is no ATC to issue instructions. Instead, pilots 'self-announce' on the CTAF to maintain situational awareness and avoid conflicts.

• Standard format: "[Airport name] traffic, [callsign], [position/intentions], [airport name]"
• CTAF may be a UNICOM frequency (122.8 MHz common in the US) or MULTICOM (122.9 MHz)
• At part-time tower airports, the tower frequency becomes CTAF when the tower is closed
• Pilot discipline on CTAF is critical — keep transmissions brief and listen before transmitting