Radio Telephony (RT) Practical Examination
The RT Practical Examination is a live or simulated phraseology test. It checks that you can make initial calls, copy and read back clearances, handle distress and urgency, and use standard phraseology without prompting.
What the examiner listens for
- Correct callsign, frequency and sequence. Initial call includes station, callsign, position, level and intention.
- Full readback of clearances: route, level, heading, speed, squawk, frequency, runway and hold-short.
- Standard words: "cleared", "maintain", "expect", "standby", "wilco", "unable", "confirm".
- Distress and urgency calls with the required elements.
Clearance readback
- Read the clearance back in the same order; ask "say again" if any item is unclear. Do not accept a clearance you cannot comply with.
Worked example
"4X-ABC, cleared to Ben Gurion via the LLBG 1 departure, maintain 5,000 ft, squawk 1234." Readback: "Cleared to Ben Gurion via the LLBG 1 departure, maintain 5,000 ft, squawk 1234, 4X-ABC." If given "hold short runway 26", readback must include "holding short runway 26".
Traps
Omitting the callsign on the initial call; reading back only part of a clearance; saying "roger" instead of the required readback; accepting "line up and wait" as take-off clearance; forgetting to read back a squawk or frequency.