APPENDICES & REFERENCE MATERIAL
Appendix A: Shared Phraseology Reference
Initial Contact
- "AAL123, Los Angeles Ground, good evening."
- "DAL456, Los Angeles Tower, runway 25R, continue."
- "UAL88, SoCal Approach, radar contact."
Clearance
- "Cleared to [destination] via [SID/route]. Climb and maintain [altitude]. Departure frequency [frequency]. Squawk [code]."
Taxi
- "Taxi to runway [runway] via [taxiways], hold short runway [runway]."
Runway
- "Runway [runway], cleared for takeoff."
- "Runway [runway], cleared to land."
- "Line up and wait runway [runway]."
- "Go around, fly runway heading, climb and maintain [altitude]."
Radar
- "Radar contact."
- "Fly heading [heading]."
- "Turn left/right heading [heading]."
- "Climb and maintain [altitude]."
- "Descend and maintain [altitude]."
- "Reduce speed [speed] knots."
- "Cleared [approach] runway [runway] approach."
Handoff
- "Contact [position] on [frequency]."
- "Monitor Tower on [frequency]."
Quick check before you continue
Five questions to check what you have learned from this lesson. Use the material while you work.
Appendix B: Common Mistakes and Fixes
| Mistake | Why It Matters | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Not correcting readback errors | The aircraft may do the wrong thing | Correct immediately and require a correct readback |
| Taxiing aircraft without a route | Creates ground conflicts | Plan the route before transmitting |
| Forgetting hold short | Causes runway incursions | Always include and verify hold short near runways |
| Clearing takeoff with final too close | Creates runway separation loss | Scan final before every takeoff clearance |
| Using speed too late | Aircraft cannot slow enough | Assign speed reductions earlier |
| Descending arrivals too late | Unstable approaches | Plan descent distance before the TMA |
| Over-talking | Blocks pilot readbacks & coordination | Use shorter instructions |
| Ignoring coordination | Surprises the next controller | Coordinate releases, crossings, and unusual plans |
Quick check before you continue
Five questions to check what you have learned from this lesson. Use the material while you work.
Appendix C: Checklists
Session Preparation Checklist Before opening a position:
- Confirm your rating and position authorization.
- Review local SOPs and airport diagrams.
- Choose active runway based on wind and traffic.
- Prepare SID/STAR/runway notes & Check frequencies.
- Open RadarThing and VStrips.
- Prepare a scratchpad or strip bay.
- Know who owns adjacent positions. Set personal limits.
Live Controlling Checklist During the session:
- Keep strips current.
- Scan before transmitting.
- Use callsigns every time.
- Correct readbacks immediately.
- Protect runways.
- Coordinate before handoff if anything is unusual.
- Keep instructions short under pressure.
- Slow the operation before it becomes unsafe.
Debrief Checklist After the session, answer:
- What went well?
- What caused the most workload?
- Did I miss any readback errors?
- Did I issue any unclear instructions?
- Did I coordinate early enough?
- Did any aircraft get delayed unnecessarily?
- What is one thing I will improve next session?
Quick check before you continue
Five questions to check what you have learned from this lesson. Use the material while you work.
Appendix D: Rating Progression Summary
| Rating | Training Time | Key Test Standard | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| S1 | Suggested 4 sessions | Clearances, ground control, zero incursions | Delivery/Ground, S2 training |
| S2 | Suggested 6 sessions | Runway control, wake separation, emergency response | Tower/Departure, S3 training |
| S3 | Suggested 8 sessions | Radar sequencing, vectoring, conflict resolution | Approach/Control, mentoring path |
Quick check before you continue
Five questions to check what you have learned from this lesson. Use the material while you work.
Final Notes
ATC skill comes from repetition. The goal is not to memorize every phrase; the goal is to understand the operation well enough that your instructions are safe, predictable, and easy for pilots to follow.
When unsure:
- Slow traffic down.
- Stop aircraft before they enter a risk area.
- Use altitude to create safety.
- Coordinate with the next controller.
- Ask a trainer before the situation becomes overloaded.
Quick check before you continue
Five questions to check what you have learned from this lesson. Use the material while you work.