What do the pilots say to the tower when taking off or landing?

Answer 1

When pilots first start up their aircraft at a controlled airfield, they ask permission to taxi to the active runway. "Tower, this is aircraft such and such at the ramp, taxi to the active for take-off." The tower responds by giving the pilot a clearance to the runway currently in use, frequently adding the taxiway the controller wants to be used. Once pre-flight engine run-up and instrument adjustments are made, the pilot calls the tower, identifies his aircraft and says, "Ready for take off." If there is a line of traffic waiting ahead of the pilot, the tower may say, "Aircraft such and such, you're fourth/fifth/sixth, etc. for take-off." Once all the traffic is cleared out in front of you, the tower will say "Aircraft such and such, cleared to taxi into position and hold." The pilot's response is "Roger. Taxiing into position." If the pilot wants a non-standard departure, he asks for it BEFORE taxiing onto the runway and BEFORE taxiing into position. "Request straight out departure," or, Request downwind departure," etc. Once the runway ahead is cleared, the tower will call, "Aircraft such and such, cleared for take-off. Straight out departure approved. Have a good day." The pilot's response is "Aircraft such and such, Roger, Straight out departure. Thank you, Sir. Have a good day."

While approaching a controlled airfield with an operational tower, aircraft usually report at some known point 5 miles from the tower. Many controlled towers have recorded local information about conditions, wind speed, wind direction, active runway, etc. Each iteration is given an alphabetic designator. Pilots are told to "Contact tower with information Juliet." "Phoenix tower, Champ 42 Echo reporting the city water tower with Juliet, requesting a straight in approach."