Communications
Core concepts
Radiotelephony discipline covers standard phraseology, transmission technique, distress and urgency signals, and the correct use of frequencies. Know the difference between MAYDAY and PAN PAN, when to use 121.5, and how to pass a position report. Effective communication is closed-loop: the sender transmits, the receiver reads back, and the sender confirms.
Traps in questions
Questions test whether you can identify non-standard or ambiguous phraseology. "Take-off" is used only as an actual clearance; otherwise use "departure". "Standby" is not an approval. "Roger" means received, not agreed. A readback of a clearance containing an error must be corrected by ATC - but the pilot should also detect and challenge it. Another trap is frequency congestion: the correct response is to wait, listen, and transmit only when the exchange is complete.
Worked example
ATC: "ABC, descend to 5000 ft, QNH 1009." Correct readback: "Descend to 5000 ft, QNH 1009, ABC." Omitting the QNH or the level is an incomplete readback and should be repeated in full.
Rule of thumb
If you did not hear it fully, do not act on it - ask for confirmation rather than filling gaps from expectation.
Emergency communications
Declare MAYDAY for grave and imminent danger; PAN PAN for urgency without immediate danger. State callsign, nature, position, level, intentions and persons on board.