Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

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Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), is the name given to a VHF radio frequency used at U.S., Canadian and Australian non-towered airports. Many larger airports close their tower overnight, keeping the airport itself open for cargo operations and other activity. Pilots use the common frequency to safely coordinate their arrivals and departures, giving position reports and acknowledging other aircraft in the airfield traffic pattern.

In many locations, smaller airports use pilot-controlled lighting systems when it is uneconomical or inconvenient to have automated systems or staff to turn on the taxiway and runway lights. In Canada, the lighting system is accessed through an ARCAL (Aircraft Radio Control of Aerodrome Lighting) frequency which is often shared with the CTAF.