FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresMedium
A pilot approaching an airport with an operating control tower located in Class D airspace calls the tower 10 miles out and states intentions to land. The controller responds, "Aircraft calling, standby," without using the aircraft's call sign. According to 14 CFR 91.129, may the pilot enter the Class D airspace at this time?
- AYes, because the pilot made initial contact and stated intentions before entering the airspace
- BYes, provided the pilot monitors the tower frequency continuously until landing
- CNo, unless the pilot is squawking a discrete transponder code assigned by approach control
- DNo, because two-way radio communication has not been established since the controller did not use the aircraft's call sign
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. No, because two-way radio communication has not been established since the controller did not use the aircraft's call sign
Under 91.129, two-way radio communication is considered established only when the controller responds to the aircraft using its specific call sign, not with a generic acknowledgment like "standby." Until that occurs, the pilot must remain clear of the Class D surface area.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Simply making initial contact is not sufficient; the controller must reply using the aircraft's call sign.
- B. Monitoring the frequency does not satisfy the two-way communication requirement.
- C. A transponder code is unrelated to the radio communication requirement for entering Class D airspace.
Two-Way Radio Communication (Class D)
Per 14 CFR 91.129, a pilot must establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering Class D airspace, meaning the controller must respond using the aircraft's specific call sign.
- A generic reply like "standby" does not count as established communication
- If the controller replies with the call sign but says to remain clear, the pilot must still remain clear
- This requirement applies to Class D surface areas around towered airports
Memory trick: "Call sign or stall outside" — no call sign reply, no entry.