Essex County Airport frequencies
Essex County Airport (CDW · KCDW) in Caldwell, NJ is a towered field, staffed 0700-2300. 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 Essex County Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherWhen the KCDW tower is closed
The tower is staffed 0700-2300. Outside those hours Essex County Airport has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 119.8, 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 KCDW airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.
Before taxi Caldwell
- ATIS 135.5
- 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.
- ASOS/AWOS 135.5
- An automated weather station reading the field conditions aloud — wind, visibility, ceiling, temperature and altimeter. It replaces ATIS at a field with no controller to record one. Get the altimeter setting before you descend below the transition altitude.
- Clearance 121.1
- 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 Caldwell
- Ground 121.9
- 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 119.8
- 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 Newark
- Departure 119.2
- Departure control is the radar facility working aircraft climbing out of the area. Tower hands you off after takeoff. Check in with your altitude leaving and your assigned altitude.
Arrival Newark
- Approach 127.6 (WILKES-BARRE arrivals)
- Approach control is the radar facility sequencing arrivals into the area. Call inbound for flight following or an instrument approach, with your position, altitude and request.
Also
- CTAF 119.8
- 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 122.95
- 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.
By procedure & sector (3 more)
| 127.6 | WILKES-BARRE STAR |
|---|---|
| 132.8 | JAIKE STAR |
| 379.9 | APCH/P DEP/P, JAIKE STAR, MAZIE STAR, WILKES-BARRE STAR |
Every KCDW frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 135.5 |
|---|---|
| ASOS/AWOS | 135.5 |
| Clearance | 121.1 |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Tower | 119.8 |
| CTAF | 119.8 |
| UNICOM | 122.95 |
| Approach | 127.6 · WILKES-BARRE arrivals |
| Departure | 119.2 |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at KCDW?
Essex County Airport tower is 119.8, calling "Caldwell Tower". The tower is staffed 0700-2300.
What frequency do I use at KCDW when the tower is closed?
Outside 0700-2300, Essex County Airport has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 119.8 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 KCDW?
Ground control at Essex County Airport is 121.9. 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 KCDW?
ATIS at Essex County Airport is 135.5. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for KCDW?
Approach for Essex County Airport is 127.6, working as "Newark" (WILKES-BARRE arrivals). Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
Where do I get my clearance at KCDW?
Clearance delivery at Essex County Airport is 121.1. Call before requesting taxi, with the current ATIS letter and your direction of flight.
More about KCDW
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.