Communications – VFR and IFR
Communications tests standard phraseology, readback, distress and urgency calls, and frequency discipline for VFR and IFR flight in Israeli airspace.
Standard phraseology
- Use the aircraft callsign on initial contact; thereafter the abbreviated callsign may be used if there is no confusion.
- "Roger" means received; "wilco" means will comply. Neither replaces a required readback.
- "Standby" is not an approval; "unable" is a complete response when a clearance cannot be accepted.
- Read back runway, hold-short, altitude, heading, speed, frequency and squawk.
Distress and urgency
- MAYDAY: grave and imminent danger; PAN PAN: urgency without immediate danger. Give callsign, nature, position, level, intentions and persons on board.
- 121.5 is the emergency frequency; 7700, 7600 and 7500 are the special squawks.
Worked example
Engine failure over controlled airspace: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, 4X-ABC, engine failure, 10 NM east of LLBG, 4,000 ft, attempting forced landing, 3 persons on board." Then follow ATC instructions if able.
Traps
Using "roger" as a readback; reading back a clearance but omitting the runway; failing to state the callsign on the distress call; assuming "standby" is a clearance; not reading back a frequency change.