COPTR Stage 1 Practice Test

When you’re in Class D airspace, you must stay on the tower’s frequency and maintain two-way communication while you’re inside. You switch to the next appropriate frequency once you’re out of that airspace or when the tower tells you you can switch. This keeps you in contact with the controlling facility as long as you’re under its jurisdiction, and then allows you to proceed with the next segment of your flight on the correct frequency.

So, you’d switch when you have exited the Class D airspace, or if the tower explicitly instructs you to switch frequencies. Switching immediately after takeoff isn’t correct because you’re still within that Class D airspace and should remain on the tower frequency. Switching when you’re entering the airspace isn’t appropriate since you should be on the tower’s frequency before or as you enter. Waiting until you’re on the ground is unnecessarily restrictive—if you’re already clear of the airspace while still in the climb or early cruise, you can switch as directed.