Ann Arbor Municipal Airport frequencies
Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB · KARB) in Ann Arbor, MI is a towered field, staffed 0800-2000. Every frequency below is in the order you tune it, from the first call to the handoff on climb out. · Open on the map
All of Ann Arbor Municipal Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherWhen the KARB tower is closed
The tower is staffed 0800-2000. Outside those hours Ann Arbor Municipal Airport has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 120.3, and separation from other traffic is yours, not a controller's. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern.
Runway lighting is often pilot controlled once the tower closes — check the KARB airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.
Before taxi Ann Arbor
- ATIS 134.55
- A recorded loop of the field's weather, active runway and any notices, updated hourly or whenever conditions change. Listen before your first call, and tell the controller which letter you have so they do not read it to you again.
- Clearance 121.6
- Clearance delivery issues your IFR clearance, and at busier fields your VFR departure instructions and squawk code. Call before you request taxi, with the ATIS letter and your intended direction of flight.
Taxi & takeoff Ann Arbor
- Ground 121.6
- Ground control owns every taxiway and inactive runway on the field. Call for taxi with your position and destination on the field. You need an explicit clearance to cross any runway, including one that is not in use.
- Tower 120.3
- Tower owns the active runways and the surrounding surface area. Call before entering the surface area inbound, and hold short until you are cleared to take off or to cross.
Departure & arrival Detroit
- App/Dep 118.95 (METRO departures)
- One radar controller working both arrivals and departures — normal at a smaller TRACON. The same frequency takes your climb out and your inbound call.
Also
- CTAF 120.3
- The common frequency pilots use to announce themselves to each other at a field with no operating control tower. Nobody is controlling traffic — you are self announcing. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern, and listen well before you transmit.
- UNICOM 123.0
- A ground station run by the FBO rather than the FAA, for fuel, parking and airport services. Use it for services. Where the field has no separate CTAF, the same frequency doubles as the advisory frequency.
- Emergency 121.5
- 121.5 is the international emergency and distress frequency, monitored continuously. Declare on it if you are in trouble, and monitor it as a second radio when you have one free.
By procedure & sector (3 more)
| 118.95 | METRO DP (WESTBOUND) |
|---|---|
| 134.3 | METRO DP (EASTBOUND) |
| 284.0 | APCH/P DEP/P, METRO DP |
Every KARB frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 134.55 |
|---|---|
| Clearance | 121.6 |
| Ground | 121.6 |
| Tower | 120.3 |
| CTAF | 120.3 |
| UNICOM | 123.0 |
| Emergency | 121.5 |
| App/Dep | 118.95 · METRO departures |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at KARB?
Ann Arbor Municipal Airport tower is 120.3, calling "Ann Arbor Tower". The tower is staffed 0800-2000.
What frequency do I use at KARB when the tower is closed?
Outside 0800-2000, Ann Arbor Municipal Airport has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 120.3 as the CTAF and report your position and intentions — there is nobody to clear you, so separation is yours.
What is the ground frequency at KARB?
Ground control at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is 121.6. You need an explicit clearance from ground to cross any runway while taxiing, including one that is not in use.
What is the ATIS frequency at KARB?
ATIS at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is 134.55. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for KARB?
App/Dep for Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is 118.95, working as "Detroit" (METRO departures). Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
Where do I get my clearance at KARB?
Clearance delivery at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is 121.6. Call before requesting taxi, with the current ATIS letter and your direction of flight.
More about KARB
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.