Communications (VFR and IFR)
Phraseology and standard words
Learn the phonetic alphabet, standard words and phrases (roger, wilco, affirm, negative, say again, standby, request, cleared, hold short) and the meaning of read-back requirements. Distinguish distress (MAYDAY, repeated three times) from urgency (PAN PAN, repeated three times). Know the emergency frequencies, the readability scale (1–5), test transmissions, and the structure of a position report: identification, position, time, level, next position and ETA.
Clearances and read-backs
A clearance is not a request: it must be read back when it affects safety - runway, altitude, heading, speed, frequency, squawk or route. For IFR, know the CRAFT sequence (clearance limit, route, altitude, frequency, transponder). Understand SSR codes, Mode C, and the difference between “line up”, “take-off”, “hold short” and “cleared for take-off”. Avoid non-standard phrases; when unsure, ask for clarification rather than assuming.
Worked example
A clearance: “ABC123, cleared to the XYZ VOR via flight-planned route, climb FL180, squawk 4271.” Read back the clearance limit, route, altitude and squawk. If the controller says “report reaching FL180”, acknowledge it but do not read back items that were not given.
Rule of thumb
If it involves a runway, altitude, heading, frequency or squawk, read it back. MAYDAY means grave and imminent danger; PAN PAN means urgency without immediate danger.