Traffic Pattern Radio Calls with a Tower

The pattern, leg by leg

Leg	What it is
Departure	Straight ahead after takeoff, along the extended runway centerline
Upwind	The continuation of the departure, straight ahead along the extended centerline. Tower uses it for spacing and sequencing
Crosswind	At right angles to the runway, off its departure end
Downwind	Parallel to the runway, flown in the direction opposite to landing
Base	At right angles to the runway, off its approach end
Final	Lined up with the runway, in the direction of landing

The definitions are the Pilot/Controller Glossary's. Unless the tower or the airport indicates otherwise, turns in the pattern are to the left (AIM 4-3-2, 4-3-3). The AIM's recommended pattern altitude for propeller airplanes is 1,000 feet above the ground, unless the airport has another (AIM 4-3-3).

What to report, and when

With a tower, you make the reports Tower asks for, such as “report midfield downwind” or “report two mile final”. A report instruction asks you to tell ATC a specific piece of information (Pilot/Controller Glossary), so the call should name that position. Unlike on a CTAF, you do not announce every leg.

After “Springfield Tower”, the report in the exchange above has four parts: your callsign, where you are, the runway, and what you want, here a full stop.

What Tower may say, and what you say back

Tower says	What it means	You say
Number two, follow the Cessna on base	You land second, behind that Cessna	Number two, traffic in sight, (callsign). Or “negative contact” if you do not see it
Extend downwind	Keep going on the downwind past your normal turn, to make room	Extend downwind, (callsign)
Make short approach	Shorten your pattern and fly a short final	Short approach, (callsign)
Runway two seven, cleared to land	You are authorized to land. Keep checking that the runway is clear	Cleared to land runway two seven, (callsign)
Runway two seven, cleared touch-and-go	Land, then take off again without stopping	Cleared touch-and-go runway two seven, (callsign)
Runway two seven, cleared for the option	Your choice of touch and go, low approach, missed approach, stop and go or full stop	Cleared for the option runway two seven, (callsign)
Go around	Abandon the approach	Going around, (callsign)

All of these phrases come from the controllers' handbook, FAA Order JO 7110.65 (3-8-1 and 3-10-5). The meanings of “make short approach”, “cleared for the option” and “go around” are from the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

Common mistakes

• Landing without a clearance. At an airport with an operating tower you need a clearance to land, in all cases (AIM 4-3-2). If you are on short final and have not heard one, ask. If you still have none, go around.
• “Roger” for a landing clearance. Read back “cleared to land” with the runway. The AIM wants the runway in your first readback of a landing clearance (AIM 4-4-7).
• Reporting the wrong position. If Tower asked for midfield, call at midfield, not when you turn base.
• Losing the traffic you were told to follow. Say so. “Negative contact” is a normal answer, and Tower can help.
• Stopping on the runway after landing. Leave it at the first available taxiway or where Tower tells you, and keep going until the whole airplane is past the hold short markings. Then stop and wait for instructions (AIM 4-3-21).
• Switching to Ground on your own. Stay with Tower until you are told to change frequency (AIM 4-3-14, 4-3-21).

FAQ

Do I have to read back “number two”?

Your place in line is not on the AIM's readback list (AIM 4-4-7). But a sequence often comes with traffic to follow, and Tower needs to know whether you see it: answer with “traffic in sight” or “negative contact”.

What does “cleared for the option” mean?

You may choose a touch and go, low approach, missed approach, stop and go or full stop. It is used mostly in training (Pilot/Controller Glossary). During a stop and go or a full stop, tell Tower as soon as possible if you will be delayed on the runway (AIM 4-3-23).

Why does Tower give the wind with the landing clearance?

The surface wind is part of the landing information a tower gives arriving aircraft (JO 7110.65 3-10-1). It is not on the AIM's readback list, so you do not need to read it back.

When do I talk to Ground after landing?

When Tower tells you to. Do not change to Ground on your own (AIM 4-3-14). Then call Ground for taxi to parking.