NORDO / RONLY controlled-aerodrome procedures

Both use controlled aerodromes by prior arrangement and visual signals.

Before proceeding onto any portion of the manoeuvring area of a controlled aerodrome, or operating into a Class C control zone (RAC 4.2.10, RAC 4.4.5, RAC 4.4.5 NOTE):

• Contact tower first (Class C: obtain clearance from it)
• State intentions
• Arrange visual-signal clearance
• Watch continuously for tower visual signals

Departure:

• Ready for takeoff: attract controller's attention by turning the aircraft toward the tower (RAC 4.2.10).
• RONLY exception (RAC 4.2.12): same procedures; controller may ask for one transmission to be acknowledged in a specific way. After that, compliance alone is enough unless asked again.

Arrival (RAC 4.4.5 unless noted):

• Intending to land = once aircraft joins and conforms to the traffic circuit, not only once it turns final (RAC 4.4.3).
• Circuit join:
  1. Approach from the upwind side of the runway
  2. Join crosswind at circuit height
  3. Join on the downwind leg
• Conform to circuit speed and size. Keep separation behind aircraft ahead so landing needs no overtaking.
• Crossing the airport before crosswind: cross at least 500 ft above circuit height, then descend to circuit height in the upwind area of the active runway.
• Before turning final: check for aircraft on a straight-in approach.
• Landing clearance may be withheld if preceding aircraft have not landed or runway is occupied.

Taxi after landing (RAC 4.4.5):

• No taxi clearance needed to roll on to the runway end.
• If landing run passes the last turn-off: go to the end of the runway, taxi to one side, wait until instructed to taxi back.

Trap: confusing this with radio failure; this is the planned NORDO/RONLY procedure arranged with the tower, not the leave-the-airspace-and-squawk-7600 drill.

Practice