Tower to Ground H/Os

[metro752]

I know quite a few pilots who think you just contact ground after you clear the active, or after you report clearing the active.....well...that's wrong so QUIT trying to prove that it is ok to do so. It is ILLEGAL to switch to ground if not told to by the tower.

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[pacallen]

I'm not sure who you're referring to, but one should never change frequencies unless told to by the controlling agency. The only possible exception to this would be when you takeoff from a Class D airport outside of B or C airspace. If you are outside of the tower's airspace, you can change frequencies without requesting it.

[metro752]

I've always been told to request a frequency change when departing a class D airport not in B or C airspace. After 5 miles, call in, Cessna 49970 request frequency change, tower says Cessna 49970 frequency change aprvd, i reply, thanks, bye bye

EDIT: Like Peter said it is ok to leave a Class B, C, or D surface area without requesting freq change to reduce frequency congestion. I was just taught to request frequency when departing the airspace. Thanks Pete....I learned something new!

4-3-2. Airports with an Operating Control Tower

a. When operating at an airport where traffic control is being exercised by a control tower, pilots are required to maintain two-way radio contact with the tower while operating within the Class B, Class C, and Class D surface area unless the tower authorizes otherwise. Initial callup should be made about 15 miles from the airport. Unless there is a good reason to leave the tower frequency before exiting the
Class B, Class C, and Class D surface areas, it is a good operating practice to remain on the tower frequency for the purpose of receiving traffic information.

In the interest of reducing tower frequency congestion, pilots are reminded that it is not necessary to request permission to leave the tower frequency once outside of Class B, Class C, and Class D surface areas.

Not all airports with an operating control tower will have Class D airspace. These airports do not have weather reporting which is a requirement for surface based controlled airspace, previously known as a control zone. The controlled airspace over these airports will normally begin at 700 feet or 1,200 feet above ground level and can be determined from the visual aeronautical charts. Pilots are expected to use good operating practices and communicate with the control tower as described in this section.



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[TheKenny]

It's also OK to change frequencies without permission or stating you're doing so when holding short the active and you're changing from ground to tower. Although sometimes I guess they do tell you "contact tower on xxx.xx," but most of the time in my experience it's an implied task, you just switch over when short of the runway, sod, or helipad.

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The Kenny

[a href="http://www.thekenny.com"]Army helicopter trainee extraordinaire[/a]
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[flyinggriffin]

Its also a good idea to ask for a frequency change if your departing airport is under a Class C like KSCH. The Albany International class C is over and abuts the Class D and at some times if you wait too long to try to get Albany approach you may find yourself flying low level under the outer ring, in nasty turbulence with the 737s zipping over your head on the ILS 1 or 19.
Schenectady is happy to kick you loose right after departure. What happens sometimes is that approaching KSCH and you are with flight following from Albany, the controllers like to hang on to you till the last minute because of traffic from the west. Sometimes they are busy and don't contact Schenectady till AFTER you are in the class D. This gets the tower at KSCH upset and they tend to snap at you when you report in.

[heyer]

But whatever you do...

[font size=32]Do clear the active![/font] ;-)

[Jeff S KDTW]

>I know quite a few pilots who think you just contact ground
>after you clear the active, or after you report clearing the
>active.....well...that's wrong so QUIT trying to prove that
>it is ok to do so. It is ILLEGAL to switch to ground if not
>told to by the tower.

This might be nit-picky, but using the term "illegal" is a bit overstated. The terms "preferred" or "suggested" may be more accurate.

Depending on the congestion, Tower will often leave you to switch to Ground on your own upon exiting the runway. There is nothing wrong with that in those situations and is quite common.

Also, be careful using Sporty's study guide questions as your authoritative source for determining what is "legal" or "illegal". The passage that the question is referencing is actually found in the AIM, which is not per se regulatory.

[flyinggriffin]

You do also have to use some common sense. If you exit the runway and there is a string of airplanes behind you clogging up the tower frequency it would be stupid to sit there and hog the runway exit waiting to be switched. You get on ground and ask what they want you to do. If it is not busy you just inquire on the tower frequency.