HK PPL Radiotelephony flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

MAYDAY

International distress signal spoken three times, used when an aircraft is threatened by serious and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Transmitted on 121.5 MHz with callsign and nature of distress.

PAN PAN

International urgency signal spoken three times, used for urgent situations not requiring immediate assistance, such as engine failure but safe landing assured. Transmitted on 121.5 MHz with callsign and nature of urgency.

Squawk 7700

Transponder code indicating distress or emergency. Set when declaring an emergency to alert ATC and other aircraft. Accompanied by MAYDAY call if time permits.

Squawk 7600

Transponder code indicating radio communication failure. Set when unable to communicate with ATC. Continue according to last clearance or flight plan and attempt contact on 121.5 MHz.

Lost communication VFR

In VFR radio failure, remain in VMC, land at nearest suitable aerodrome, and notify ATC as soon as possible. Squawk 7600 and attempt contact on 121.5 MHz.

Emergency frequency 121.5

Very high frequency (VHF) emergency channel monitored by ATC and many aircraft. Used for distress, urgency, and radio failure attempts. Also used for ELT homing.

Readback requirement

Pilot must read back all clearances, runway instructions, hold-short instructions, altitudes, headings, speeds, and frequencies. Ensures correct understanding and reduces errors.

Phonetic alphabet

Standard words used to spell letters clearly: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

Digit pronunciation

Numbers spoken as: zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, niner. Decimal as 'decimal', hundred as 'hundred', thousand as 'thousand'. Used for altitudes, headings, frequencies.

Roger

Phrase meaning 'I have received your last transmission satisfactorily'. Does not imply compliance. Used for acknowledgement only, not for readback of clearances.

Wilco

Phrase meaning 'I will comply with your instruction'. Used to acknowledge an instruction that will be followed. Not a substitute for readback when readback is required.

Affirm

Phrase meaning 'Yes' or 'affirmative'. Used in response to a question. Opposite is 'Negative'. Standard phraseology to avoid confusion.

Say again

Phrase requesting repetition of the last transmission. Used when communication is unclear or missed. The reply should repeat the entire message.

Standby

Phrase meaning 'Wait, I will call you back'. Indicates that the caller should wait for further communication. Not an approval or clearance.

Line up and wait

ATC instruction to taxi onto the runway and wait for take-off clearance. Not a take-off clearance. Must be read back verbatim. Do not begin take-off roll until 'cleared for take-off'.

Hold short instruction

ATC instruction to stop before a runway or taxiway. Must be read back verbatim, including runway designator. Do not cross or enter the runway without explicit clearance.

Backtrack

Instruction to taxi on the runway in the opposite direction to the landing direction. Used when no parallel taxiway exists. Must be read back.

Expedite

Instruction to hurry up, for example when vacating a runway or taxiing. Pilot should comply promptly but safely. Read back if required.

Light signals

Steady green: cleared to land/taxi. Flashing green: return for landing/taxi. Steady red: stop. Flashing red: taxi clear of runway. Flashing white: return to starting point. Used when radio fails.

ATIS information

Automatic Terminal Information Service broadcast of weather and aerodrome information. Pilots state 'with information [letter]' on initial contact to confirm receipt.

Position report

Standard report including callsign, position, time, altitude or flight level, next position and ETA. Used en-route and at uncontrolled aerodromes.

Climb to altitude

ATC clearance to climb to a specified altitude. Pilot must read back the altitude and may state 'leaving [current altitude]' if instructed. Do not exceed cleared altitude.

Descend via STAR

Clearance to descend using published Standard Terminal Arrival Route, including altitude restrictions. Pilot must read back and comply with published altitudes and speeds.

Cleared approach

ATC authorization to conduct a specific instrument approach, such as ILS or visual. Pilot must read back the clearance and report established on the approach.

Fly heading

ATC instruction to fly a specified magnetic heading. Pilot reads back the heading. Used for vectoring. 'Turn left/right heading' indicates direction of turn.

Maintain speed

ATC instruction to maintain a specified speed in knots. Pilot reads back the speed. 'Resume normal speed' cancels the restriction.

Contact frequency

Instruction to change to a specified ATC frequency. Pilot reads back the frequency and callsign, then switches. Used for handoff between controllers.

Initial contact

First transmission to a new ATC unit must include full aircraft callsign. Subsequent transmissions may omit callsign if no confusion likely, but readback must include callsign.

Runway crossing clearance

Explicit ATC clearance required to cross any runway. Must be read back. Never cross without clearance, even if runway appears clear. 'Cross runway [number]' is the instruction.

Vacating runway

Report 'vacating runway [number]' when leaving the runway after landing. Then contact ground frequency as instructed. Read back frequency.

Emergency descent

Phrase used to announce a rapid descent due to emergency, such as cabin depressurization. Set transponder 7700 and advise ATC when able. Other aircraft should give way.

Cancel distress

Phrase used to cancel a distress call when the emergency is resolved. Transmitted on the same frequency. ATC may acknowledge and provide further instructions.