Communications
Standard phraseology
Communications is a precision domain: the examiner wants ICAO standard phraseology, correct readback and correct distress or urgency procedure. Learn the phonetic alphabet, number pronunciation and standard words: roger (received), wilco (will comply), affirm, negative, standby, unable, say again, correction, disregard, break. A clearance must be read back when it contains a route, altitude, heading, speed or frequency instruction, and always for runway and takeoff or landing clearances.
Distress and urgency
MAYDAY three times for distress, PAN PAN three times for urgency; use 121.5 or the appropriate emergency frequency, and squawk 7700 for distress or 7600 for radio failure. Pass position, heading, altitude, fuel, persons on board and nature of the problem. For lost communication, squawk 7600, maintain the last assigned level for the prescribed period, then follow the published lost-communication procedure.
Traps
Roger is not wilco; affirm is not yes; over and out are not used on the aeronautical mobile service. Know the readability scale, SELCAL, and the difference between 'cleared to land' and 'cleared for the option'. Pronunciation matters: 118.7 is 'one one eight decimal seven', and a frequency readback must be exact.
Worked example
A controller says 'ABC123, descend FL120, report reaching.' Read back 'Descend FL120, wilco, ABC123.' You must also make the report when reaching the level, as instructed.