Call Up
A call up is the initial radio contact made by a pilot to an ATC unit, FSS, or UNICOM. The call up establishes communication and provides the receiving station with enough information to respond appropriately. A well-structured call up speeds up communication, reduces frequency congestion, and creates a professional first impression.
Standard IFR Initial Call
Format: [Facility name] + [Your callsign] + [Aircraft type] + [Position] + [Altitude] + [Request or ATIS code]. Example: “Toronto Centre, Air Canada 123, Boeing 737, 150 miles northeast, flight level 350, with information Foxtrot, request direct Toronto.” Provide all relevant information in the first transmission — controllers dislike having to ask for basic details.
VFR Call Up at a Controlled Aerodrome
Format: [Tower name] + [Your callsign] + [Aircraft type] + [Position] + [Altitude] + [Intentions]. Example: “Pearson Tower, Golf November Yankee Bravo, Cessna 172, 10 miles north, 3,500 feet, request landing with information Alpha.”