Approach or Departure?

AndrewX

AndrewX

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Nov 14, 2017
Messages
101
Display Name
Display name:
Andrew
When departing a satellite airport near, but not in, Class C, should I address them as Approach or Departure? My real life example is departing JWN and calling BNA.
 
AndrewX said:
When departing a satellite airport near, but not in, Class C, should I address them as Approach or Departure? My real life example is departing JWN and calling BNA.
Click to expand...

So what does Nashville call themselves there? Doesn’t really matter that much. Approach is more common. If they call themselves Departure, call them Departure. It really doesn’t matter that much. If you want to have some fun, call them Center.
 
Generally, I’ll call them “departure” if departing from within the lateral boundaries of the airspace and “approach” in every other scenario, unless my destination happens to be the class c itself.

But you can also just as successfully call them their name without the “approach” or “departure.”

I’ve also called them “airport name departure” in the past successfully as well, as in “John C Tune Departure.”
 
Since Nashville Approach and Departure use the same frequency 119.35, you can say either one or Just say “Nashville” but call Clearance Delivery first at 124.55.
 
As others said, it doesn't matter.

My general practice has been to use "approach" unless they say "departure," although like some others, I've begun dropping both.
 
Yes, it really doesn't matter. I generally call them Approach, unless handed off by Tower to Departure.

I generally don't drop the Approach when talking to Boston Approach though, since I'm usually close to the edge of their airspace where beyond, the facility you would talk to is Boston Center. I want them to know that I know who I'm talking to, and that I'm on the right frequency.
 
I would suggest approach, but either will work.
 
On your initial call ,you can use either.
 
The only significance I can imagine for the choice is that it could be a reminder to the controller of whether you're in the approach or departure phase of flight, but it's apparent from the thread that it's not important.
 
Frankly, I have not invested the time or mental storage space to care.

I call them all “approach”.

Frankly you can get by just fine not calling them anything “Cessna 123 climbing 3 thousand for 4”

Never had or heard ATC say “say my name!”

Sadly I have also never had them ask me to squak dirty :(
 
Last edited:
The local practice here (Chicago area) is to call "Chicago Approach", e.g., to request traffic advisories. A couple of times I addressed them as "Chicago Departure" (it's the same freq.), and the controller corrected me on response:

me: Chicago Departure, N-C-C-1-7-0-1 out of Schaumburg, requesting flight following.
atc: NCC1701, Chicago Approach, squawk 5-1-5-3.

Many TACs also include notes with the correct terminology and frequency, for example:

Screen Shot 2018-08-26 at 12.03.53.png
 
GreatLakesFlying said:
The local practice here (Chicago area) is to call "Chicago Approach", e.g., to request traffic advisories. A couple of times I addressed them as "Chicago Departure" (it's the same freq.), and the controller corrected me on response:

me: Chicago Departure, N-C-C-1-7-0-1 out of Schaumburg, requesting flight following.
atc: NCC1701, Chicago Approach, squawk 5-1-5-3.

Many TACs also include notes with the correct terminology and frequency, for example:

View attachment 66693
Click to expand...

Do you fly a vintage aircraft out of 06C? C-170 or similar?
 
Call them whatever satisfies your fancy. If they prefer one or the other than they will come back with that on their return call to you.
 
GreatLakesFlying said:
The local practice here (Chicago area) is to call "Chicago Approach", e.g., to request traffic advisories. A couple of times I addressed them as "Chicago Departure" (it's the same freq.), and the controller corrected me on response:

me: Chicago Departure, N-C-C-1-7-0-1 out of Schaumburg, requesting flight following.
atc: NCC1701, Chicago Approach, squawk 5-1-5-3.

Many TACs also include notes with the correct terminology and frequency, for example:

View attachment 66693
Click to expand...
I've never considered that kind of response to be a correction. I've always assumed that they were just using the call sign that they were trained to use for the type of situation.
 
I have tried calling them departure when departing from a satellite airport next to delta in the TRSA, they almost always reply with approach on the first call...
 
GreatLakesFlying said:
No, I usually rent one of Northwest Flyers' Archers and their DA40. I am just joking with the callsign NCC1701 :)
Click to expand...

Did you get your PPL or IR there? Have you looked at Schaumburg Flying Club? My only concern with them is being outside in the Winter (no hangars).

I've been disappointed that NWF doesn't have an LSA. Nobody at 06C rents an LSA.
 
Terry M - 3CK (Chicago) said:
Did you get your PPL or IR there? Have you looked at Schaumburg Flying Club? My only concern with them is being outside in the Winter (no hangars).

I've been disappointed that NWF doesn't have an LSA. Nobody at 06C rents an LSA.
Click to expand...

Terry, I finished my PPL at NWF a few months ago. I am considering IR but for now, I am having a bit of fun just smashing bugs. I found NWF to be a great outfit, and I am really happy with my CFI there.

If I stay in the area, I may join the SFC but at this moment I am not ready for this kind of commitment. They are a great club from what I've heard.
 
I use "approach" when approaching and "departure" when departing. :)

When leaving, clearance delivery always gives me a "departure frequency," and my handoff from the tower is always "contact departure," so that's what I use in that case. If I'm coming in, or just tooling around in the local area, "approach."
 
Just don't call them "arrival" such as my trainee did today...twice. I swear that kid goes home for the weekend and erases his mind. He shows up Monday morning not knowing a thing he was taught last week. I've never keyed over someone so much in my life as I did today. Now I feel like I've been beat with a wet squirrel.
 
Well there are arrival sectors Tim. Just saying. :D
 
Call them according to your phase of flight. It might help them
 
Just call them “with you.” For example, “With you, November 2-3-Juliet climbing two-point-seven fo(u)r one-twenty.”
 
if it's the same frequency, it's the same dude(tte) sitting in front of the screen...
 
iamtheari said:
Just call them “with you.” For example, “With you, November 2-3-Juliet climbing two-point-seven fo(u)r one-twenty.”
Click to expand...

I assume this is a joke because almost everything about it is bad practice
 
Whether you call the TRACON guy "Approach" or "Departure" always reminds me of an old joke about the President being briefed before a visit by the Israeli prime minister.

BRIEFER: In Hebrew, the word for hello is "shalom." And the word for good bye is "shalom.:
PRESIDENT" How do I know which one I've said?
BRIEFER: If he leaves after you say it, you've said good bye.
 
Approach when approaching, Departure when departing. Enroute, I use Approach, since I am approaching their airspace.
Never been corrected - they don't care
 
Eric Brunelle said:
Approach when approaching, Departure when departing. Enroute, I use Approach, since I am approaching their airspace.
Never been corrected - they don't care
Click to expand...
They wouldn't correct you if you said Approach when departing and Departure when approaching or left out the word entirely.

Just don't call them "Center!" :D
 
I am probably reading too much in it but, I think Approach is the correct answer for me because the following reasons:

1) approach (ap·proach) is shorter, takes less radio time
2) because of the second definition of approach
“speak to (someone) for the first time about something, typically with a proposal or request.”

I like to “approach” Tracon for a request. Hopefully they are more willing to grant it

Approach:
  • 1 Come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.


  • 2 Speak to (someone) for the first time about a proposal or request.

    ‘the department had been approached about funding’

  • 3 Start to deal with (a situation or problem) in a certain way.

    ‘one must approach the matter with caution’

de·par·ture
Has too many consenents “3” compared to only “2” for ap-proach, thus uses too much radio time.

I also do not like the word “departure” because it reminds me of getting a “deviation letter”
(A deviation from an accepted, prescribed, or usual course of action.)

The action of leaving, especially to start a journey.

‘the day of departure’

noun ‘she made a hasty departure’
  1. A deviation from an accepted, prescribed, or usual course of action.
    ‘the album is not a radical departure from the band's previous work’

  2. Nautical The amount of a ship's change of longitude.
 
AndrewX said:
When departing a satellite airport near, but not in, Class C, should I address them as Approach or Departure? My real life example is departing JWN and calling BNA.
Click to expand...

If the satellite airport is towered, they will tell you in the hand off. If it is non-towered I'd guess departure.

But if it's an uncontrolled airport, who gives a rip?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top