An airport's UNICOM frequency differs from a control tower frequency in that UNICOM:

UNICOM is a privately operated radio station on the airport, typically run by a fixed base operator, and it exists to provide services and information rather than to direct traffic. A call to UNICOM gets the current wind, the runway other aircraft are using, and airport advisories such as fuel availability or a closed taxiway. What it cannot do is clear anyone to do anything: only an air traffic control tower issues clearances, and a non-towered airport has no controller. The distinction matters to a remote pilot because it defines the character of everything heard on the frequency. At a non-towered field pilots self-announce, coordinate among themselves, and remain responsible for their own separation, and a remote pilot monitoring that frequency is gathering situational awareness rather than receiving instructions. UNICOM frequently doubles as the CTAF at such airports, so the same frequency carries both the operator's advisories and the pilots' position reports.

UNICOM is a privately operated advisory station providing wind, runway in use and airport information. Only an air traffic control tower issues clearances, and a non-towered airport has none.

UNICOM is a non-government air-ground communication station providing airport advisories such as wind and runway in use. At non-towered airports it commonly shares the frequency used as CTAF for pilot self-announcements.

Advice, Not Orders. No tower means no clearance, only information and self-announcement.

UNICOM and CTAF are often the same frequency at a non-towered field, but they are different concepts: one is a station, the other is a use.

• •Expecting a clearance from UNICOM
• •Confusing the UNICOM station with the CTAF function
• •Treating advisories as authorization to operate