If a non-tower satellite airport lies within the Class D airspace of the primary airport, with which facility must radio communications be established?

If a non-tower satellite airport lies within the Class D airspace of the primary airport, with which facility must radio communications be established?

• A. Center
• B. Primary airport's control tower
• C. Flight Service Station
• D. Approach control

Answer: (B)

In Class D airspace, the controlling facility is the control tower of the primary airport. If a satellite airport without its own tower lies inside that Class D, you still must establish two-way radio communications with the primary airport’s control tower before operating in the airspace. This ensures the tower, which handles all traffic in that surface-based controlled airspace, can provide sequencing and separation. Center and Approach handle en route or IFR sequencing, not the immediate control of VFR traffic in the Class D surface area. Flight Service Station provides information and flight planning, not ATC control. So the required contact is with the primary airport’s control tower.

In Class D airspace, the controlling facility is the control tower of the primary airport. If a satellite airport without its own tower lies inside that Class D, you still must establish two-way radio communications with the primary airport’s control tower before operating in the airspace. This ensures the tower, which handles all traffic in that surface-based controlled airspace, can provide sequencing and separation.

Center and Approach handle en route or IFR sequencing, not the immediate control of VFR traffic in the Class D surface area. Flight Service Station provides information and flight planning, not ATC control. So the required contact is with the primary airport’s control tower.