Radiotelephony Practical Examination
The practical RT exam is a simulated flight in which the examiner plays ATC, ground and other traffic. It is assessed on phraseology accuracy, readback, listening and composure rather than on how fast you speak.
What is tested
- Pre-flight: ATIS copy, ground clearance, taxi clearance, readback of holding point and runway.
- Departure and cruise: position reports, frequency transfer, altimeter setting, airspace boundary calls.
- Arrival: joining instructions, circuit calls, landing and taxi clearance.
- Emergencies: a distress call and a radio-failure scenario, plus a relay or urgency call.
Technique
- Write the clearance as it is spoken, using the CRAFT sequence: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder. Read the entire clearance back in one transmission.
- If unsure, say say again rather than guessing; a correct request for repetition costs nothing, an incorrect readback costs marks.
- Use the phonetic alphabet for letters and the standard digit forms; keep transmissions short and never use VFR slang on frequency.
- Pause after keying the microphone to avoid a clipped first word.
Worked example
Examiner: A4O-AB, cleared to enter control zone, report on downwind runway 26. Candidate replies: Cleared to enter control zone, report downwind runway 26, A4O-AB. Both the clearance and the reporting instruction are read back. Omitting the report item is one of the most common failures.
Traps
Reading back only the first half of a clearance; forgetting to state the call sign at the end of the transmission; failing to apply a QNH that was issued; speaking while the examiner is still transmitting - you have failed to listen.