Expectancy in Readback and Hearback

Question 1

Define read-back

Answer 1

A procedure whereby the receiving station repeats a received message or an appropriate part thereof back to the transmitting station so as to obtain confirmation of correct reception.

Question 2

What could be the consequence of an uncorrected erroneous read-back?

Answer 2

An uncorrected erroneous read-back may lead to a deviation from the intended clearance and may not be detected until the controller observes the deviation on his/her situational display.

Question 3

What items are mandatory read-backs?

Answer 3

ATC Route Clearances
Clearances to land on, take off from, hold short of, cross or backtrack any runway
Runway-in-use
Altimeter Setting
SSR Codes
Level Instructions
Heading Instructions
Speed Instructions
Transition Levels

Question 4

What do flight crews perceive as an implicit confirmation of their read-back?

Answer 4

The absence of an acknowledgment or a correction following a clearance read-back.

Question 5

Why is read-back acknowledgement usually absent?

Answer 5

Frequency congestion