Communications
Communications tests standard RT phraseology, readback, distress and urgency procedures, frequencies, lost-communication and ATC coordination. Clear, concise transmissions reduce misunderstanding.
Core rules
- Read back safety-related items: clearance, runway, hold-short, level, heading, speed, frequency and SSR code.
- MAYDAY is distress; PAN PAN is urgency. MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, callsign, nature, intention, position, level, fuel and persons.
- Lost communications: squawk 7600, maintain last clearance or route, attempt contact, follow published procedure.
- Use standard words: roger means received; wilco means will comply; affirm and negative; say again; standby.
- Emergency frequency 121.5 MHz is used for distress and urgency when appropriate.
Worked example
ATC: LN-ABC, climb FL110, turn right heading 030, report reaching. Correct readback: Climb FL110, right heading 030, report reaching, LN-ABC. The readback confirms all three instructions; simply saying Roger does not confirm the level or heading.
Traps
- Omitting a level or frequency from readback.
- Using MAYDAY for a non-distress urgency.
- Transmitting long explanations on a busy frequency.
- Forgetting to squawk 7600 after radio failure.