CTAF frequency is the same as tower. It is at many airports where tower is not open 24/7.

 

Key word “many”. Not all. There was obviously an unintentional mistake made here. Sometimes, our mistakes can have great consequences. I doubt anyone needs education on how a CTAF frequency works.

 

In this case, someone needs a reminder to at least be monitoring CTAF/Tower frequency. Call it education if you wish. Or not. We, as in this industry, got lucky on this one.

 

Its not a FAR as not all aircraft have radios. It is however covered in a FAA advisory circular. In addition I suspect it is a requirement in the SW ops specs making the calls mandatory.

10.1 Recommended Traffic Advisory Practices. All traffic within a 10-mile radius of a non-towered airport or a part-time-towered airport when the control tower is not operating should continuously monitor and communicate, as appropriate, on the designated CTAF until leaving the area or until clear of the movement area. After first monitoring the frequency for other traffic present passing within 10 miles from the airport, self-announcing of your position and intentions should occur between 8 and 10 miles from the airport upon arrival. Departing aircraft should continuously monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency from startup, during taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport, unless 14 CFR or local procedures require otherwise.

10.1.1 To achieve the greatest degree of safety, it is essential that:

1. All radio-equipped aircraft transmit/receive on a common frequency identified for the purpose of airport advisories, as identified in appropriate aeronautical publications. 2. Pilots use the correct airport name, as identified in appropriate aeronautical publications, when exchanging traffic information to reduce the risk of confusion. For example, using “Midwest National Traffic” instead of the town name “Mosby Traffic” or “Clay County Traffic” at KGPH when the airport name is printed “Midwest National” on aeronautical charts. 3. To help identify one airport from another, the correct airport name should be spoken at the beginning and end of each self-announce transmission.

 

Yeah you guys are correct. Wasn't entirely awake when I glanced at Jepp earlier and my brain bit off on UNICOM vs the tower freq. Hell maybe thats what happened to these pilots and they were talking on UNICOM? Not sure who (if anyone) would be listening to that at that hour?

 

You're not going to get an argument from me whether one should make calls over CTAF. You absolutely should if your plane has a radio.

Just separating out the requirement to make calls over CTAF vs the recommendation to do so.

And again since I don't have Southwest's books in front me, I am not going to say whether SWA requires crews to do so. I will let a SWA pilot speak to that.

 

I agree. But any pilot worth their salt knows that CTAF and UNICOM are not one in the same. If they don't, they shouldn't have a commercial ticket, let alone an ATP.

 

What a dumb conversation 🤦‍♂️

 

Thanks for gracing it with your presence. Your contribution sure elevated it to the next level.

 

There have been a number of very close calls in the past few months involving more than one carrier. If simple reminders about safety that may help reverse this trend is dumb to you, maybe you're in the wrong line of work. Safety is never dumb.