VFR/IFR Radiotelephony
Standard phraseology
Know the structure of a call: station addressed, own call sign, position, altitude, and intention. Learn the distress and urgency prefixes (MAYDAY, PAN PAN) and the use of the transponder codes 7700, 7600, 7500. Understand readback requirements for clearances, runway and route instructions, and level instructions.
Traps
Common distractors confuse 'roger' with 'wilco', and 'standby' with an approval. Another trap is the correct order of the distress call: MAYDAY three times, own call sign, nature of distress, intention, position, altitude, and other information. Also know that a clearance readback must include the items that affect safety, not the whole message.
Worked example
A controller issues 'G-ABCD, cleared to enter the control zone, maintain 1,500 feet, report the field in sight.' The readback must include the clearance, the level, and the report instruction. Rule of thumb: read back what changes your flight path, level, or reporting point - nothing else is mandatory.
IFR notes
For IFR, know the standard position report elements and that a clearance limit must be acknowledged. Spelling alphabets and figure pronunciation are examinable.