Comms Exam Flashcards
For an a/c which is at altitude 3,400ft, attempting to talk to an ATC unit served by a mast which is 200ft above mean sea level, what’s the approximate maximum theoretical distance at which two-way communications could be achieved?
89 nm
The meaning and implication of a “readability 2” is:
Readable now and then, and you should not depart if you’re still on the ground
When’s the phrase “take-off” allowed to be used?
Only when reading back a take-off clearance from ATC
Which of the following pieces of information given by an ATSU must be read back by the pilot?
Level instructions
When you need to activate a formal (ATS) flight plan in flight, how can this be achieved?
Request an ATSU to activate the flight plan
You’re in communication with an ATSU, and have been allocated a squawk of 4501. If an emergency arises, which is the correct initial course of action to take?
Make a MAYDAY call on the current frequency and retain the 4501 squawk
In the event of a radio failure the transponder mode A should be set to:
7600
When should a prefix of “student” be used?
When a student is flying solo, and can be used on all calls if necessary
In a distress situation, the pilot should first initiate a MAYDAY call:
On the current frequency
Which of these words/phrases indicate that a message should be ignored?
Disregard
Within the AIP (AD section) Earls Colne Aerodrome is described as having a communications frequency of “A/G 122.430MHz”. How should a pilot address the station on first communication via the radio?
Earls Colne Radio
What’s a VOLMET?
Meteorological actual reports for certain groups of aerodromes broadcast on specific frequencies
ATIS is used for what purpose?
To revive the necessary routine information for departures and arrivals at a particular airfield
Which of the following phrases contains correct terminology?
Heading two three zero degrees
The correct transponder code to use associated with a emergency category radio message (providing no other transponder code has been allocated by ATC) is:
7700
Which of the following is the correct phraseology when reading back a QNH of 1001?
QNH “wun zero zero wun”
What’s the effect of altitude on the range (theoretical) of a VHF radio?
An increase in altitude will increase range
A pilot hears a PAN PAN transmission. What should the pilot do?
Listen out, write down as much information from the PAN PAN call as possible, and don’t interrupt.
Aeronautical messages are given an order of priority. Which of the following statements reflects the correct order of priority?
Messages relating to direction finding take precedence over meteorological messages
What’s the correct way to say frequency 125.800 MHz?
“Wun too fife dayseemal ait”
During flight, a pilot is informed of an emergency situation requiring immediate assistance. Which of the following answers is correct?
The pilot should make a MAYDAY call on the frequency currently in use since this is a DISTRESS situation
A special VFR (SVFR) clearance is issued to allow:
Flight in a CTR (normally at the pilots’s request) where compliance with IFR isn’t possible
ATC transmit the following; “G-BXJB, surface wind 230 degrees 9 knots, cleared for take-off”. What category of message is this?
A flight safety message
A transponder has a rotary knob that has the following positions: OFF, STBY, ON, ALT. When selected to ON, what information will the transponder transmit when interrogated by a ground radar system?
Only the 4 digit transponder code as set by the pilot
The definition of a message that falls within the URGENCY classification is:
Concerning the safety of an a/c or other vehicle, or some person on board or within sight, but doesn’t require immediate assistance
A readability scale of 3 is defined as:
Readable but with difficulty
Following an apparent radio failure of the a/c equipment, what procedure should be adopted with regards to transmissions?
Continue to make radio calls preceded by the phrase “transmitting blind, transmitting blind”
The emergency message category contains two classifications of message which are:
Distress and urgency
The correct call when you’re ready to take-off is:
Ready for departure
ATC inform you that your transponder readout indicated an altitude if 6,000 feet, whereas your altimeter (set on QNH) reads 5,000 feet. What’s the correct course of action to take?
Configure your transponder to not report ALTITUDE (ALT or mode C), but leave the transponder turned ON with the current code selected. Report the problem via the appropriate method to the a/c maintainers on landing
When might a pilot be unable to establish two-way radio communications?
The a/c may be below the VHF line of sight, or may be having transmissions blocked by obstructions along the VHF line of sight
If ATC uses the phrase “read back”, what does this mean?
Repeat all of, or the specific part of the message exactly as you received
What’s the meaning of “WILCO”?
I have understood your transmission and will comply with your instruction
SAFETYCOM transmissions shall only be made when an a/c isn’t more than…(i)…ft above the aerodrome level, or not more than…(ii)…ft above the published circuit height (if applicable)
(i) 2,000; (ii) 1,000
ROGER means:
I’ve received all of your last transmission
You may abbreviate your call-sign:
Only after first abbreviated by ATC and there’s no likelihood of confusion
The correct choice of responses to a question of “are you able to accept a climb”? Are:
AFFIRM or NEGATIVE
When first contacting “Southend radar” for a traffic service, ATC advise that only “secondary surveillance radar” is available and “warnings will only be given against transponding traffic”. What does this mean?
The primary radar isn’t working, so ATC can only “see” a/c that have a working transponder
A pilot requires a magnetic heading towards a VDF station. In the request, the correct RTF terminology should include the term:
QDM
What methods are available to a pilot during flight to obtain weather information?
ATIS, VOLMET, ATSU
When conducting a standard overhead join at an airfield, on reaching a point directly above the airfield 1,000ft above the circuit height, and having immediately (or prior to this) established the correct circuit pattern to use, the correct RTF call is:
OVERHEAD, DEAD SIDE DESCENDING
What does the phrase “break, break” mean?
It indicates the separation between messages transmitted to different a/c in a very busy environment
At the planning stage of a VFR flight, where is it best to obtain current meteorological information?
By self-briefing using official published weather information
“G-BXJB read back QNH”. What should the pilot of G-BXJB do on receipt of this transmission?
The pilot should read back the QNH that the controller has specified in a previous message
The “IDENT” functionality on a transponder is used when, and for what purpose:
To highlight the a/c on the radar controller’s screen, and should only be used when requested by ATC
“MONITOR 123.425” means a pilot should:
Change frequency to 123.425 and listen out
ATC instructs you to “recycle squawk”. You should:
Set transponder to standby, select a different squawk code, then set the correct squawk code (again), select transponder to mode A+C
Communication failure is suspected and following a check of the equipment and settings all is found to be in order, which of the following is an appropriate subsequent action?
Squawk 7600 and make blind calls on the appropriate frequencies
A transponder has a rotary knob that has the following positions: OFF, STBY, ON, ALT. When selected to ALT, what information will the transponder transmit when interrogated by a ground radar system?
Both the 4 digit transponder code as set by the pilot and the altitude of the a/c based on a pressure setting of 1013hPa
Within the AIP, the radio facility for BEAUCHAMP is stated as “AGCS 122.335”. How should the pilot address the situation?
BEAUCHAMP RADIO
Which of the following combinations of ATSU and air traffic services correctly defines the full range of services they can offer?
AFIS can offer: alerting service, basic service
“G-BXJB” behind the landing 737, rwy 23, lineup and wait behind”, is what type of clearance?
A conditional clearance
The correct pronunciation for the number 1,800 when used to pass your altitude or height is:
“Wun tousand ait hundred”
What is the correct radio telephony pronunciation of the a/c registration G-MHQI?
GOLF MIKE HOTEL QUEBEC INDIA
ATC issue the following communications message via the radio; “G-BXJB surface wind 230 degrees 15 knots, rwy 23, cleared for immediate take-off”. What category of message is this?
A flight safety message
The correct content and order for a formal position report is:
A/c call sign, present position, time, level, next position, ETA
Your radio check is reported as “readability 3”:
You shouldn’t depart if you haven’t already done so
During a VFR flight, a pilot plans to transit a control zone (class D). The pilot requests the transit but hasn’t yet received a clearance. If a radio communications failure now occurs, what should the pilot do?
Remain outside the controlled airspace
If a pilot determines that the a/c has a radio transmitter failure (but can still receive), how might communication with an ATSU still be possible?
Answer ATSU questions with yes/no answers by using specific squawk codes, or the transponder IDENT feature, or turning onto specific headings as instructed by ATSU
Wattisham approach (125.800) direct the pilot of G-BXJB to “contact Bognor approach on 129.630”. The pilot changes frequency correctly but hears no reply to their initial call to Bognor. What’s the best course of action to take?
Change the frequency back to 125.800 and state “Wattisham approach, G-BXJB no contact with Bognor approach on 129.630”
Having just changed to a new frequency, what should a pilot do before making a transmission?
Ensure the initial and subsequent message to be sent is composed in the pilots mind, listen out, and only transmit when an existing transaction between another pilot and the ATSU is complete
What’s the purpose of ATIS?
To reduce RTF air time allowing pilots to gather approach and departure information before establishing communication with an ATSU
After landing, on leaving the rwy and taxiing past the hold point for that rwy, the correct terminology to use is:
Rwy vacated
What’s the correct radio telephony pronunciation of “maintaining a vertical position of 12,000 feet on the QNH of 1012”?
“Maintaining altitude one two thousand feet”
The correct abbreviation of the call-sign “Yak G-BXJB” is:
Yak JB
Which of the following items transmitted by ATC to the pilot must be read back by the pilot?
Altitude or height to fly
What’s a QDM?
A magnetic bearing to fly to get to the station not allowing for wind
If an ATSU requests “G-BXJB confirm level” whilst you have a transponder set to mode A+C, the reason for this is to:
Check the accuracy of the altitude reporting by the transponder encoder and radar system to the controller
A FMC (frequency monitoring code) is what?
A transponder SSR code that is used to signify the pilot is maintaining a listening watch on the associated RT frequency (and doesn’t require a service to be provided)
Prior to making a practice emergency call with “London centre” (distress and diversion), which answer describes the correct procedure to follow?
Select 121.500MHz with the radio squelch disabled (to enable you to hear distant stations) and listen out to ensure no actual emergency is in progress, and use the phrase “practice PAN, practice PAN, practice PAN” followed by the rest of the practice emergency message
“True bearing, true bearing, Wattisham approach, G-BXJB request true bearing, G-BXJB” is what category of message?
A direction finding message
“G-BXJB after departure climb on rwy track to altitude 1,500 feet, then left turn on track own navigation to BEPOK. QNH 1020. Squawk 4505. Next frequency will be Mytown approach 122.525” is what type of message?
A route or departure clearance
Which of the following describes the best general advice on the use of 121.500MHz?
Pilots should make use of the assistance as soon as there’s any doubt about the safe conduct of the flight
You’re flying an a/c with registration G-BXJB. Southend approach ATC instructs you to “contact Southend tower on 130 decimal 780”. After the change frequency, what should your initial call be?
“Southend tower, golf bravo x-ray Juliet bravo”
In the context of a radio telephony transmission, when is “I SAY AGAIN” used?
For emphasis - the information is repeated
Before crossing a MATZ, a request should be made at least…(i)…, or…(ii)… from the boundary whichever is sooner:
(i) 15nm; (ii) 5 minutes
What’s the correct way to transmit a time of 1800 BST?
One seven zero zero
How can “London centre (121.500MHz) assist pilots who’re uncertain of their position by the use of VDF?
By providing a position fix to the pilot through auto-triangulation of their radio transmissions (DF bearings)
Which of the following statements is correct regarding ATSU’s and their respective call-signs?
ATC call-sings: radar, approach, tower, director
You’re cleared to climb to HEIGHT 2,500 feet. Your altimeter should be set to:
QFE
