AIM Text
- IFR Approaches. When operating in accordance with an IFR clearance and ATC approves a change to the advisory frequency, make an expeditious change to the CTAF and employ the recommended traffic advisory procedures.
- Ground Vehicle Operation. Airport ground vehicles equipped with radios should monitor the CTAF frequency when operating on the airport movement area and remain clear of runways/taxiways being used by aircraft. Radio transmissions from ground vehicles should be confined to safety‐related matters.
- Radio Control of Airport Lighting Systems. Whenever possible, the CTAF will be used to control airport lighting systems at airports without operating control towers. This eliminates the need for pilots to change frequencies to turn the lights on and allows a continuous listening watch on a single frequency. The CTAF is published on the instrument approach chart and in other appropriate aeronautical information publications.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 4-1-10.
The short answer
This advisory AIM section covers three nontowered-airport practices: when ATC approves changing to the advisory frequency on an IFR clearance, make an expeditious switch to the CTAF and use recommended traffic advisory procedures; radio-equipped ground vehicles should monitor the CTAF and limit transmissions to safety matters; and where possible the CTAF is used to control airport lighting.
Research Notes
Common Questions
When ATC clears me to the advisory frequency, what do I do?
When operating on an IFR clearance and ATC approves a change to the advisory frequency, the AIM advises making an expeditious change to the CTAF and employing the recommended traffic advisory procedures for the nontowered airport.
Should airport ground vehicles monitor the CTAF?
Yes. Radio-equipped airport ground vehicles should monitor the CTAF when operating on the airport movement area and remain clear of runways and taxiways being used by aircraft. Their radio transmissions should be confined to safety-related matters.
How is airport lighting controlled at nontowered airports?
Whenever possible, the CTAF is used to control airport lighting systems at airports without operating control towers, so pilots need not change frequencies to turn lights on and can keep a continuous listening watch. The CTAF is published on the instrument approach chart and other aeronautical publications.