Communications - VFR and IFR
Communications tests standard radiotelephony, readback discipline and distress/urgency procedures for VFR and IFR flights. Clear, standardized phraseology reduces misunderstanding, especially at busy Kuwait airports.
Standard phraseology
- Use callsign, station, position, level and intention in a logical order. Read back runway, heading, altitude, frequency, SSR code and hold-short instructions.
- “Roger” means the message was received; “affirm” answers yes; “wilco” means will comply. None of these replaces a required readback.
- Distress: MAYDAY, repeated three times, then callsign and nature of distress. Urgency: PAN PAN, repeated three times. Use the appropriate frequency and declare intentions clearly.
- Lost communications: follow the applicable IFR or VFR procedure, squawk 7600 if able, and maintain the last assigned level or minimum safe altitude as applicable.
- Transponder: 7700 emergency, 7600 radio failure, 7500 unlawful interference. Use only when appropriate.
Worked example
“Kuwait Tower, KAC123, ready for departure runway 33L.” Tower: “KAC123, line up and wait runway 33L.” The correct readback is “Line up and wait runway 33L, KAC123.” It is not “cleared for takeoff”; that clearance has not been given.
Traps
Using “roger” as a readback; confusing “line up and wait” with a takeoff clearance; forgetting to read back a frequency; and using MAYDAY for a non-distress urgency situation. Also avoid non-standard local phrases that other crews may not understand.