Communications (VFR and IFR)
Communications
This domain tests VFR and IFR radiotelephony: standard phraseology, clearances, readback, position reporting, distress and urgency, and transponder procedures.
Phraseology and clearances. Use standard ICAO phraseology and the aircraft call sign on every transmission. Read back runway-in-use, hold-short instructions, altitude instructions, headings, squawk codes and frequency changes. “Roger” means “I received your transmission”; “affirm” means “yes”. “Stand by” is not an approval. For IFR, use the CRAFT sequence - clearance limit, route, altitude, frequency, transponder.
Emergency communications. MAYDAY is distress; PAN PAN is urgency. Set transponder 7700 for distress, 7600 for radio failure and 7500 for unlawful interference. A position report includes call sign, position, time, altitude, next position and ETA. If radio failure, follow the published lost-communication procedure.
Worked example
Clearance: “Cessna 123AB, climb and maintain 5,000, squawk 4521.” Correct readback: “Cessna 123AB, climb and maintain 5,000, squawk 4521.” Do not read back “Roger” alone; the altitude and squawk are mandatory readback items. If the controller says “hold short of runway 06”, read back the hold-short instruction exactly.
Traps
Do not use “take off” except when cleared for take-off; use “departure” for other contexts. Do not abbreviate call signs unless the controller does. Do not assume a clearance is for you if the call sign is different. Do not forget to read back hold-short instructions.