Communication and Coordination
What the exam tests
Communication and Coordination tests the communication loop, standard phraseology, readback, assertiveness and crew coordination. Questions often present a misheard clearance or a steep authority gradient and ask for the safest response.
Core rules
- Communication is sender, encoding, channel, receiver, decoding and feedback, with noise (physical, physiological, psychological, semantic) reducing fidelity.
- Two-way communication with readback closes the loop; the controller must hear the readback and correct it. A readback is not proof of understanding.
- Standard phraseology reduces ambiguity; plain language is for when phraseology fails. 'Roger' means received, not approved; 'affirm' is yes; 'standby' is not approval.
- Assertiveness is the ability to state a concern clearly and persist until resolved, without aggression. It is a core CRM skill.
- Authority gradient: too steep suppresses challenge; too flat can blur command. Briefings should invite challenge.
- Handovers and briefings need structure: threats, plan, roles, contingencies, confirmation.
Worked example
ATC clears 'descend to four thousand feet'. The pilot reads back 'descend to four hundred feet'. The controller hears the wrong readback and corrects it. If the controller does not, the closed loop has failed; the pilot must query any clearance that sounds inconsistent with the chart or expectation, not assume the controller meant it.
Traps
- Treating 'roger' as clearance.
- Assuming silence means agreement.
- Using non-standard phraseology to be polite.
- Letting rank stop a legitimate challenge.