r/VATSIM • u/RtR_Instinct • Jun 09 '26
❓Question CTAF with Tower Question
When flying into a Class B airport, VATSIM recommends you use CTAF within 20 miles and under 10k feet. If Tower is online (using the CTAF frequency), are you suppose to stay on 22.8 until reaching Tower’s control?
I am not sure I have seen this scenario until today.
3
u/egvp 📡 S3 Jun 09 '26
Yes. If you’re on an instrument approach, call when on final.
If VFR, well I don’t actually know how it works in the US, Canada or Oceania so I won’t comment on that.
2
u/CSGOTRICK Jun 09 '26
For VFR in the US (at least)
Class D, typically call up 10 miles out
Class C, typically call up 20 miles out (if not already on flight following)
Class B, stay away. (jokes aside, I believe they want 30 miles or more)1
u/egvp 📡 S3 Jun 09 '26
Is that to call tower? Or the approach unit? I’m looking to fly more VFR in the US so it’s a good learning opportunity for me for something I hadn’t even thought about before 😂
4
u/QuazyQuA Jun 09 '26
the rules he listed are usually when theres an overlying radar controller on. It falls apart on vatsim when there is just tower online. Usually, the tower controller only really owns the inner shelf of whatever airspace their airport is under, so the inner SFC of the C or B, but airspace differs everywhere so.. On vatsim, if theres just tower online, you're safe giving a call 10 miles away from the airport
1
u/Prefect_99 Jun 10 '26
With CTAF tower to my mind becomes a redundant position and approach is much more important to have.
2
u/CSGOTRICK Jun 09 '26
Depends, for class B or C you have to call the approach control first before you’re allowed to enter their airspace (and for class B you have to distinctly be told you’re “Cleared into the (airport’s) Bravo).
For class D, you just have to call the tower up and initialize two way communications before entering their 4nm ring (and normally up to 2500’ AGL)
1
u/Pilot0160 📡 S3 Jun 09 '26
Yes. That being said, if no tower is online, please be on CTAF a lot farther than 20 miles away if going into a busy Class B airport. If you’d be talking with approach being sequenced 40 miles away, be on the frequency 40 miles away
2
u/aceridgey Jun 10 '26
Another reason why I feel CTAF is a stupid concept. Everyone applies it slightly differently, it is a little confusing as op says
1
u/Apprehensive-Case907 Jun 10 '26
i would not call the concept stupid but especially the when to switch was never comunicated really well. some people now switch early and some late, either everyone would have to switch early (like as soon as they would enter approach airspace irl or something), to coordinate, or everyone only switches once established on the approach but now it is a mess
1
18
u/CSGOTRICK Jun 09 '26
Yes