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Three ways to communicate at a non-towered airport

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 5 of 15 on Operations / Radio Communications. ACS element UA.V.A.K3 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONAt an airport that does not have an operating control tower, what are the three ways a pilot can communicate intentions and obtain airport and traffic information?

  1. ACommunicating with approach control, with the control tower, or by listening to the ATIS recording
  2. BChecking NOTAMs, calling the control tower, or listening to the ATIS
  3. CCommunicating with an FSS, with a UNICOM operator, or making a self-announce broadcast
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Communicating with an FSS, with a UNICOM operator, or making a self-announce broadcast

  • A — incorrect These are towered-airport services; at an airport without an operating control tower there is no tower to talk to, and ATIS is a one-way recording rather than a way to communicate intentions.
  • B — incorrect NOTAMs and ATIS are information sources, not means of announcing intentions, and there is no operating control tower at such an airport.
  • C — correct The study guide lists exactly these three methods for an airport without an operating tower: communicating with a flight service station, with a UNICOM operator, or making a self-announce broadcast.

BACKGROUND

An airport may have a full- or part-time tower or flight service station (FSS), a full- or part-time UNICOM station, or no aeronautical station at all. When operating at an airport without an operating tower, the study guide says pilots have three ways to communicate their intentions and obtain airport and traffic information: by communicating with an FSS, by communicating with a UNICOM operator, or by making a self-announce broadcast. Many airports also provide an automated UNICOM that offers weather, radio checks, and advisory information selectable by microphone clicks. For a remote pilot, understanding these methods helps interpret what is heard when monitoring the frequency.

STUDY TIP

Memorize the trio FSS, UNICOM operator, self-announce. Any choice that includes a control tower is wrong for an airport without an operating tower.

KEY POINTS

  • Three methods: FSS, UNICOM operator, or self-announce broadcast.
  • These apply at airports without an operating control tower.
  • Automated UNICOM systems can also provide weather and advisories via microphone clicks.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch7 "Airport Operations without Operating Control Tower"
Practice the Remote Pilot (Part 107) test →Timed 60-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON OPERATIONS / RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

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.