After we completed our review of the flight in the classroom, Trevor and I headed to the airplane for a flight to Edmonton International Airport CYEG. This flight was meant to be a teaser trailer for us, to see the King Air in action in the real IFR environment. Trevor and I fueled up the King Air 200 ourselves at the company fuel pumps and then completed a walk-around. Trevor was up first, he climbed into the right seat and began cockpit preparations. This flight included our Chief Pilot, me and our Training Captain on a mission to Edmonton to pick up some parts.
I am assuming many of you have taken your IFR training in a controlled airport environment. If not, you likely were trained at an Uncontrolled Airport with an Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) such as Cooking Lake CEZ3. Each environment has its own challenges, but today I will focus on the MF Aerodrome and its many peculiarities.
Mandatory frequency(MF) vs. aerodrome traffic frequency(ATF)…What’s the difference? Here is what Transport Canada has to say:
4.5.4 Mandatory Frequency:
Transport Canada has designated[an MF] for use at selected uncontrolled aerodromes, or aerodromes that are uncontrolled between certain hours. Aircraft operating within the area in which the MF is applicable (MF area), on the ground or in the air, shall be equipped with a functioning radio capable of maintaining two-way communication. Reporting procedures shall be followed, as specified in CARs602.97 to 602.103 inclusive.
An MF area will be established at an aerodrome if the traffic volume and mix of aircraft traffic at that aerodrome are such that there would be a safety benefit derived from implementing MF procedures. There may or may not be a ground station in operation at the aerodrome for which the MF area has been established. When a ground station is in operation, for example, an FSS[flightservicestation], an RCO[remote communications outlet] through which RAAS[remote aerodrome advisory service] is provided, a CARS[community aerodrome radio station], or an approach UNICOM, then all aircraft reports that are required for operating within, and prior to entering an MF area, shall be directed to the ground station. However, when the ground station is not in operation, then all aircraft reports that are required for operating within and prior to entering an MF area shall be broadcast. The MF will normally be the frequency of the ground station which provides the air traffic advisory services for the aerodrome.4.5.5 Aerodrome Traffic Frequency:An[ATF] is normally designated for active uncontrolled aerodromes that do not meet the criteria listed in RAC4.5.4 for an MF. The ATF is established to ensure that all radio-equipped aircraft operating on the ground or within the area are listening on a common frequency and following common reporting procedures. The ATF will normally be the frequency of the UNICOM where one exists or 123.2 MHz where a UNICOM does not exist….The designation of an ATF is not limited to aerodromes only. An ATF may also be designated for use in certain areas other than the area immediately surrounding an aerodrome, where VFR traffic activity is high, and there is a safety benefit to ensuring that all traffic monitor the same frequency. For example, an ATF area could be established along a frequently flown corridor between two uncontrolled aerodromes….
Flying in an MF aerodrome is a very different experience folks! The importance of communication within the control zone cannot be emphasized enough.
Call up Radio “High Level Radio, Beech 200, FABC is on apron 2, – IFR flight to Edmonton, request your advisory (you may also request the latest weather and advisory)
Advise the intended runway for departure (once you have heard the weather, the runway in use and the traffic information, decide which runway you are planning to depart from) “High Level Radio, FABC is planning departure off runway 18”, they will respond “Roger Runway 18, IFR clearance on request”.
High Level Radio will call you back with your clearance, read the entire clearance back to them. You cannot just provide the transponder code, such as at a large airport.
Complete all checks as required (complete all of your checklists and briefings as per your SOP)
Call up Radio – advise taxiing for runway (before entering maneuvering area
Advise entering runway,
Advise rolling for takeoff
After departure – advise airborne
Report clearing their zone
Non-compliance will result in a CADORS filed against you, not fun!
