Communications - VFR and IFR
What the exam tests
Communications tests ICAO standard phraseology, readback, distress/urgency, position reports and radio failure. Iran CAO uses English radiotelephony in international operations; clarity and standard phrases matter.
Core rules
- Read back: runway, altitude, heading, frequency, hold-short, and any safety-critical instruction.
- 'Standby' is not a clearance. 'Cleared for take-off' is the only phrase that authorises take-off; 'line up and wait' does not.
- Distress: MAYDAY; urgency: PAN PAN; radio failure: 7600; emergency: 7700; unlawful interference: 7500.
- Position report: aircraft identification, position, time, altitude, next position/ETA.
- Use 'request' for a service, 'advise' for information, 'confirm' for verification.
Worked example
Controller: 'OIIX123, hold short runway 29L, line up behind the landing Boeing.' Readback: 'Hold short runway 29L, OIIX123.' The instruction to line up is conditional and cannot be executed until the landing aircraft has cleared; the hold-short readback is mandatory. Reasoning: a conditional clearance contains two parts, and the readback must include the restriction, not just the aircraft call sign.
Traps
Reading back only the clearance limit; treating 'line up and wait' as take-off clearance; using 'roger' for a mandatory readback; confusing PAN PAN with MAYDAY; giving a position report without altitude.