Communications (VFR and Radiotelephony)
Communications tests standard radiotelephony: phraseology, readback, distress and urgency, position reporting, transponder use and the discipline that keeps frequencies clear.
Standard phraseology
- Use the ICAO alphabet and standard words: “roger”, “wilco”, “affirm”, “negative”, “standby”, “line up and wait”, “cleared for take-off”.
- Read back clearances that contain levels, headings, frequencies, transponder codes or route instructions.
- Identify with aircraft type and callsign; keep transmissions short and use the correct frequency.
- Distress: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY; urgency: PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN.
VFR and position reports
- A position report normally includes callsign, position, time, level and next position/ETA.
- At controlled aerodromes, request taxi, departure, approach and landing clearances as published.
- In Israel, English is standard for international RT; use the phraseology published in AIP Israel and avoid local slang.
- Transponder: 7700 emergency, 7600 radio failure, 7500 unlawful interference.
Worked example
Tower: “Diamond 123, cleared to land runway 21, wind 210 degrees 8 knots.” The correct readback is: “Cleared to land runway 21, Diamond 123.” The wind need not be read back unless the controller requires it, but the clearance and runway must be.
Traps that cost marks
- Omitting the runway or level from a readback.
- Using “take-off” without a clearance.
- Transmitting on the wrong frequency or without a callsign.
- Treating “standby” as an approval.