Communications
Communications tests standard RT phraseology, readback requirements, distress and urgency procedures, frequency use, transponder codes and lost-communication actions. Clear, brief and standard calls reduce misunderstanding.
Standard phraseology and readback
- Use the aircraft callsign at the start of a transmission and standard phrases such as 'request', 'report', 'standby' and 'wilco'.
- Read back clearances that affect safety: runway, altitude, heading, frequency, transponder code and hold-short instructions. 'Line up and wait' and 'cleared for take-off' must be read back.
- Do not use plain language when standard phraseology exists, but do use plain language for an emergency if needed.
- VHF is line-of-sight; check the correct frequency and volume before transmitting.
Distress, urgency and transponder
- MAYDAY is distress; PAN PAN is urgency. Distress calls have priority over all other communications.
- 121.5 MHz is the emergency frequency; 7700 is the general emergency squawk, 7600 radio failure and 7500 unlawful interference.
- In a distress call, state callsign, nature of problem, position, altitude, persons on board and intentions.
Worked example
A pilot reports: 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, G-ABCD, engine failure, 5 nm east of Elstree, 2,000 ft, two persons on board, attempting forced landing.' The controller needs the callsign, emergency, position, altitude, POB and intentions. If time permits, the pilot should also state fuel and endurance. The call is repeated until acknowledged.
Traps that cost marks
Do not read back only the runway when a clearance includes an altitude and frequency. Do not use 'roger' as a readback of a hold-short instruction. Do not confuse 7600 with 7700. Do not transmit on 121.5 for routine calls. Do not assume a clearance is for all aircraft; use your callsign. In a readback, do not paraphrase a clearance into something different.
Key points
- Standard RT: callsign first, concise phraseology, correct frequency and volume.
- Read back runway, altitude, heading, frequency, squawk and hold-short instructions.
- MAYDAY is distress; PAN PAN is urgency; distress has priority.
- 121.5 MHz is the emergency frequency; 7700 emergency, 7600 radio failure, 7500 unlawful interference.
- Distress call includes callsign, nature, position, altitude, POB and intentions.
- 'Roger' acknowledges but is not a safety-related readback.