Class C airports have a control tower and an outer perimeter serviced by radar approach control. The airspace typically extends from the surface up to 4000 feet AGL and out to a 5 mile radius, with an additional shelf from 1200 feet AGL up to 4000 feet AGL that extends out an additional 5 miles. Before entering this airspace, aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with approach control and receive an acknowledgement of the aircraft tail number. Approach will normally assign a transponder code and provide radar vectors before handing the aircraft over to the tower for landing instructions. As with Class D airports, pilots should first listen to the ATIS before contacting Approach. The following is a typical radio exchange for John Wayne Airport in Orange County California:

PILOT: “Socal Approach, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) over El Toro VOR, landing John Wayne with Bravo.”

APPROACH: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), Squawk 4721 (four seven two one) and proceed to Signal Peak for pattern entry 20 Left (two zero left).”

PILOT: “Squawk 4721 (four seven two one), proceed to Signal Peak for pattern entry 20 Left (two zero left), 4AF (four alpha foxtrot).”

Approach will later instruct the aircraft to contact the tower:

APPROACH: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), contact John Wayne Tower on 119.9 (one one niner point niner).”

PILOT: “119.9 (one one niner point niner), 4AF (four alpha foxtrot), good day.”

After tuning in the tower frequency:

PILOT: “John Wayne Tower, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) inbound for landing.”

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), make left traffic, Runway 20 Left (two zero left).”

The pilot should begin a left downwind approach, but wait for the following call before making the base turn:

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), cleared for landing, Runway 20 Left (two zero left).”

PILOT: “Cleared for landing, 20 Left (two zero left), 4 AF (four alpha foxtrot).”

After landing, the Tower will give the pilot an instruction such as the following:

TOWER: “4AF (four alpha foxtrot) exit Juliet, contact ground on 120.8.”

PILOT: “Exit Juliet, contact ground on 120.8, 4AF (four alpha foxtrot).”

Upon exiting the runway, the pilot should stop and tune in to the ground frequency. Once the After Landing Checklist for the aircraft is completed, the pilot should make a call to Ground Control such as the following:

PILOT: “John Wayne Ground, Diamondstar 314AF, clear of 20 Left (two zero left) at Juliet, taxi Atlantic Aviation.”

GROUND: “4AF (four alpha foxtrot), taxi Charlie, Alpha to Atlantic.”

When departing from a Class C airport, the pilot should first listen to the ATIS broadcast, then make a call to Clearance Delivery and request a departure procedure:

PILOT: “John Wayne Clearance, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) at Atlantic Aviation with Golf, request Mesa Departure.”

CLEARANCE: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), after departure turn right heading 220 (two two zero) degrees, climb and maintain 2000, departure frequency 128.1 (one two eight point one), squawk 4621.”

PILOT: “After departure turn right heading 220 (two two zero) degrees, climb and maintain 2000, departure frequency 128.1 (one two eight point one), squawk 4621, 4AF (four alpha foxtrot).”

CLEARANCE: “4AF (four alpha foxtrot) read back correct, contact ground.”

The pilot should then contact ground control for taxi instructions:

PILOT: “John Wayne Ground, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) at Atlantic Aviation, ready to taxi.”

GROUND: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), taxi Alpha to midfield runup.”

After completing the runup, the pilot should contact ground control again for permission to continue the taxi:

PILOT: “John Wayne Ground, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) at midfield, runup complete.”

GROUND: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), taxi 20 Left (two zero left) via Charlie / Kilo.”

After arriving at the Hold Short position, the pilot should switch over to the Tower frequency. When ready, the following call should be made:

PILOT: “John Wayne Tower, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) short of 20 Left (two zero left) at Kilo, ready for takeoff.”

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), hold short of 20 Left (two zero left).”

or

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), line up and wait.”

In this case the pilot should proceed onto the runway, line up with the center line and stop until receiving the following call:

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), cleared for takeoff.”

Once airborne, the pilot will receive the following call from the Tower:

TOWER: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), contact Socal Departure.”

PILOT: “Socal Departure, Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot) at 400, climbing 2000.”

DEPARTURE: “Diamondstar 314AF (three one four alpha foxtrot), resume own navigation.”