A good practice when approaching a non-towered airport is to?

• A. Make a radio call 10 miles out
• B. Maintain a continuous silent approach
• C. Request IFR clearance
• D. Climb to 10,000 feet

Answer: (A)

Approaching a non-towered airport, you establish traffic awareness by using the radio on the common traffic advisory frequency and letting others know your position and intentions. Making a call about 10 miles out gives nearby pilots enough time to see you, hear your approach, and coordinate with you as you join the traffic pattern. This self-announcing practice is essential because there’s no controller issuing guidance at non-towered fields, so everyone works to maintain safe separation through communication and visibility.

The other options aren’t as helpful in this context: there isn’t a requirement to remain silent on approach, IFR clearance isn’t necessary or automatic for a VFR approach to a non-towered field, and climbing to 10,000 feet isn’t a standard part of approaching such airports.