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The Air Traffic Control System | FAA Decoded Podcast #22

Welcome to Episode 22 of FAA Decoded! In this 30-minute episode, we’re navigating the essentials of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) System for instrument flight rules (IFR) within the National Airspace System (NAS). Based on Chapter 2 of the Instrument Flying Handbook, we’ll explore the communication equipment, procedures, and facilities that keep IFR flights safe and efficient. Learn about VHF radio frequencies (118.000–136.975 MHz) with 25 kHz spacing, the use of transceivers, audio panels, and headsets with boom microphones for clear communication with ATC.

We’ll break down key tools like transponders, including Mode C altitude reporting, and how ATC uses radar and secondary returns for precise tracking. Discover the roles of Flight Service Stations (FSS), airport traffic control towers (ATCT), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), plus how to handle clearances, weather avoidance, and hand-offs. Whether you’re a student pilot mastering IFR, an experienced aviator refining skills, or an aviation enthusiast, this episode will give you the insights to work seamlessly with ATC.

Subscribe to stay updated, and leave a review to share your thoughts! Have you faced a challenging ATC interaction? Got questions about IFR communication? Send us a message—we’d love to hear from you!

#AirTrafficControl #IFR Flying #PilotTraining #AviationCommunication #ATCProcedures #FAAdecoded #AviationPodcast #TransponderUse #WeatherAvoidance #FlightSafety

Based on Chapter 2, "The Air Traffic Control System," from the Instrument Flying Handbook.