SkyDrill

Monitoring traffic at a non-towered airport

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 22 of 22 on Operations / Airport Operations. ACS element UA.V.B.K1 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA remote pilot plans to operate a small unmanned aircraft near an airport that has no operating control tower. To monitor manned traffic in the area, the remote pilot should select

  1. Athe automated terminal information service.
  2. Bthe common traffic advisory frequency.
  3. Cthe nearest air traffic control tower frequency.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. the common traffic advisory frequency.

  • A — incorrect That service is a looped recording of local weather, runways in use, and other non-control information; it does not carry the position reports of arriving and departing aircraft.
  • B — correct The key to monitoring traffic at an airport without an operating control tower is selecting the correct common frequency, known as the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
  • C — incorrect A control tower at some other airport does not carry advisories for traffic at this one; where an airport's own tower frequency is monitored while the tower is closed, it is monitored because it is the designated common advisory frequency.

BACKGROUND

Airports are either towered or non-towered. A towered airport has an operating control tower, where air traffic control (ATC) is responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. A non-towered airport does not have an operating control tower, and two-way radio communications are not required there, although monitoring other aircraft on the specified frequency is a good operating practice for the benefit of other traffic in the area. The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is the frequency designated for carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower. A CTAF may be a Universal Integrated Community (UNICOM), MULTICOM, flight service station (FSS), or tower frequency, and it is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications.

STUDY TIP

Look up the CTAF for any airport near your planned site in the aeronautical publications before you launch, and remember that listening is good operating practice even though part 107 does not require a radio. Refrain from transmitting on an active aviation frequency unless there is an emergency.

KEY POINTS

  • A non-towered airport has no operating control tower, and two-way radio communications are not required.
  • The CTAF is the designated frequency for airport advisory practices at a non-towered airport.
  • A CTAF may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, FSS, or tower frequency, listed in appropriate aeronautical publications.

SOURCES

  • Remote Pilot Study Guide ch11 "Non-towered Airport"
  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt, Chapter 11: Airport Operations
Practice the Remote Pilot (Part 107) test →Timed 60-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON OPERATIONS / AIRPORT OPERATIONS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.