Landing and post-landing

The standard landing sequence

A VFR landing at a controlled aerodrome follows four communications:

1. Pattern report — "downwind runway 19" (and sometimes "final")
2. "Cleared to land" — authorized to land
3. Vacate — runway exit communicated
4. Taxi to parking — post-landing taxi instructions

The pattern: downwind, base, final

When you arrive in the CTR to land, the controller usually puts you in the standard traffic pattern (circuit). The circuit is a rectangular route around the runway:

• Downwind: parallel to the runway, in the opposite direction of the wind
• Base: perpendicular to the runway, in the wind direction
• Final: aligned with the runway, in approach phase

Standard is left-hand circuit unless otherwise indicated. At Lugano, runway 19 uses right-hand for terrain reasons.

"Cleared to land"

It's the landing clearance. Only after receiving it can you continue the final approach to touchdown. It includes:

• Runway identification: "runway 19"
• Wind at the field: "wind 200 degrees 6 knots"
• Any warnings: traffic on runway, cleaning vehicles, surface conditions

"Continue approach" and holding

On busy frequencies, the controller may keep you on final without immediate clearance. Typical phrases:

• "Continue approach, expect late landing clearance" — continue, I'll give you clearance late
• "Continue approach, number 2 to land" — you're second, continue but watch the traffic ahead
• "Go around, traffic on runway" — go around, traffic on the runway

The go-around is a standard procedure: maximum power, climb, re-enter pattern. See below.

Go-around

The go-around is the interruption of landing for a second attempt. It's done when:

• The controller requests it ("Go around, traffic on runway")
• You decide the approach isn't stabilized or safe
• Wind or conditions suddenly become adverse

Vacate (runway exit)

After touchdown and once slowed, you must vacate the runway as soon as possible via a side taxiway. The controller will tell you which exit to take, or you can autonomously decide the most convenient.

Taxi to parking

Once the runway is vacated, the controller (TWR at small airfields, GROUND at large ones) will give you taxi instructions to parking:

• At small airfields (Lugano, Locarno): TWR tells you directly "taxi to parking"
• At large airfields (Zurich, Geneva): frequency change to GROUND

Landing at uncontrolled aerodrome (AERO)

At airports without an operating tower, landing happens via self-announcement on the local AERO frequency. The pilot:

1. Self-announces in pattern and final
2. Visually verifies the runway is clear
3. Announces landing and vacate
4. Optionally communicates take-off/exit

At Swiss AERO airfields this is frequent outside operating hours (Lugano and Locarno CTRs closed at night/holidays). Listening before speaking is even more important here.

Swiss specifics

Summary — to remember

1. Four phases: pattern → cleared to land → vacate → taxi to parking.
2. Cleared to land is explicit — don't land without it.
3. Go-around is always an option, never a "defeat".
4. Vacate = clear the runway as soon as possible toward the most convenient taxiway.
5. At large airfields, frequency change to GROUND after vacate.
6. At uncontrolled fields (AERO) self-announce in pattern and final.

Sources

• ICAO Doc 4444 — PANS-ATM, Chapter 7
• ICAO Doc 9432 — Manual of Radiotelephony, Chapter 5
• AIP Switzerland — AD 2 (airport procedures)
• Aero Locarno · Subject 090 — VFR Communications