MF & ATF at uncontrolled aerodromes

Many uncontrolled aerodromes sit inside a mandatory frequency (MF) area. To operate there your aircraft needs a working radio and you make position reports on the MF (CARs 602.97-602.104). No controller runs the traffic; the reports are how pilots keep each other clear.

Arriving in a VFR aircraft, you report (CAR 602.101):

• About 5 minutes before entering the MF area (position, altitude, ETA, intentions).
• Joining the circuit.
• Downwind.
• Final.
• Clear of the runway after landing.

Departing you also call before moving onto the runway and before takeoff (CAR 602.100).

Where no MF is published, self-announce on the aerodrome traffic frequency (ATF) and broadcast your intentions at the same points (TC AIM RAC 4.5). An MF makes the calls compulsory; an ATF is just the frequency to announce on.

UNICOM is a private advisory ground station: it passes traffic and field info but is not ATC and gives no clearances.

Trap: in an MF area no radio means no entry unless you arrange it in advance (CAR 602.97(3)); an ATF is not an MF, only the MF makes the calls mandatory.

Practice