Ground Station Call Signs

AIM ¶ 4-2-6 — Ground Station Call Signs

AIM 4-2-6 explains how pilots should address ATC ground stations: facility name plus type (Tower, Ground, Approach, Center, Radio, UNICOM).

In Plain English

When calling any ground facility on the radio, start with the facility name followed by the facility type. This standardization helps controllers immediately recognize who is being called and reduces frequency confusion.

Per AIM 4-2-6 (TBL 4-2-1), use these conventions:

Airport UNICOM: "Shannon UNICOM"
FAA Flight Service Station: "Chicago Radio"
Airport Traffic Control Tower: "Augusta Tower"
Clearance Delivery (IFR): "Dallas Clearance Delivery"
Ground Control (in Tower): "Miami Ground"
Radar or Nonradar Approach Control: "Oklahoma City Approach"
Radar Departure Control: "St. Louis Departure"
FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC): "Washington Center"

Note that Flight Service Stations are addressed as "Radio", not "Flight Service", and ARTCCs are addressed as "Center". Using the correct call sign on first contact is a recommended practice for clear, professional communications and is something examiners listen for during checkride radio work.

Would you catch this on the written? Try 5 questions below — no signup

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-2-6

Pilots, when calling a ground station, should begin with the name of the facility being called followed by the type of the facility being called as indicated in TBL 4-2-1 . TBL 4-2-1 Calling a Ground Station

Read the AIM? Now prove it

Would you catch these on the written?

Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.

Live demo · no account needed

1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

Keys A–D answer · Enter continues

PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1How should a pilot address a Flight Service Station on the radio?

Per AIM 4-2-6, a Flight Service Station is addressed using the facility name followed by the word "Radio," for example "Chicago Radio."

Q2What is the correct call sign for an ARTCC, and how does it differ from approach or tower?

Per AIM 4-2-6, an FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center is called using the facility name plus "Center" (e.g., "Washington Center"), whereas approach control uses "Approach" (e.g., "Oklahoma City Approach") and a tower uses "Tower" (e.g., "Augusta Tower").

Q3When initiating contact with any ground station, what general format should a pilot use?

Per AIM 4-2-6, the pilot should begin the call with the name of the facility followed by the type of facility, as listed in TBL 4-2-1 (for example, "Miami Ground" or "Dallas Clearance Delivery").

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-2-1

Pilot-Controller Communications

¶ 4-2-10

Radio Directions Phraseology

NORDO Tower Procedures

¶ 4-2-14