Palo Alto Airport frequencies
Palo Alto Airport (PAO · KPAO) in Palo Alto, CA is a towered field, staffed 0700-2100. 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 Palo Alto Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherWhen the KPAO tower is closed
The tower is staffed 0700-2100. Outside those hours Palo Alto Airport has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 118.6, 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 KPAO airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.
Before taxi Palo Alto
- ATIS 135.275
- 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.
Taxi & takeoff Palo Alto
- Ground 125.0
- 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 118.6
- 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 Norcal
- Departure 121.3
- 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 Norcal
- Approach 121.3, 133.95 (secondary), 134.5 (secondary)
- 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 118.6
- 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)
| 270.35 | APCH/P, DEP/P |
|---|---|
| 290.25 | APCH/S |
| 338.2 | APCH/S |
Every KPAO frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 135.275 |
|---|---|
| Ground | 125.0 |
| Tower | 118.6 |
| CTAF | 118.6 |
| UNICOM | 122.95 |
| Approach | 121.3 |
| Approach | 133.95 · secondary |
| Approach | 134.5 · secondary |
| Departure | 121.3 |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at KPAO?
Palo Alto Airport tower is 118.6, calling "Palo Alto Tower". The tower is staffed 0700-2100.
What frequency do I use at KPAO when the tower is closed?
Outside 0700-2100, Palo Alto Airport has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 118.6 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 KPAO?
Ground control at Palo Alto Airport is 125.0. 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 KPAO?
ATIS at Palo Alto Airport is 135.275. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for KPAO?
Approach for Palo Alto Airport is 121.3, working as "Norcal". Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
More about KPAO
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.