Aviation Communications Quiz

Abbreviations and Q Codes

• CHEROKEE XY-ABC is abbreviated as CHEROKEE BC.
• The Q code for TRUE BEARING from a station is QTE.
• The Q code for the magnetic bearing from a station is QDM.
• The Q code on which height is based on is QFE.
• QNH indicates height based on a standard atmospheric pressure.

Distress and Urgency Conditions

• DISTRESS is defined as an imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
• URGENCY describes a concern for safety but doesn't require immediate assistance.
• Words preceding an URGENCY message are "Pan Pan Pan".
• Words preceding a DISTRESS messages are "Mayday Mayday Mayday".

Communications and ATC Messages

• The call sign suffix of a station providing clearance delivery is DELIVERY.
• ATIS frequency is a discrete VHF or VOR frequency.
• The aircraft call for a missed approach is GOING AROUND.
• The response to the instruction "RESET SQUAWK" is to reselect the numbers on the control unit.
• When reporting a frequency, the word "DECIMAL" can never be omitted.
• "STANDBY" means to wait for further instructions.
• "RECLEARED" means a change has been made to the last clearance.
• "DISREGARD" means to ignore the previous instruction.
• "CHECK" means to examine a system or procedure.
• "MONITOR" means to listen on the frequency.
• "GO AHEAD" means to proceed with the transmission.
• The phrase used to separate portions of a message is "BREAK".
• "CONFIRM SQUAWK" from ATC means the controller wants the aircraft to transmit its transponder code.
• "READABILITY 4" means the transmission is readable.
• "READABILITY 2" means the transmission is readable now and then.
• "READABILITY 3" means the transmission is readable but with difficulty.
• "BRAKING COEFFICIENT 20" indicates poor braking action.
• An aircraft in DISTRESS should squawk 7700.
• An aircraft with a radio communication failure should squawk 7600.
• An aircraft in URGENCY should transmit "Pan Pan Pan".

Transponder Codes

• Code 7600 on a transponder indicates a loss of communications.

General Calls

• A general call is "ALL STATIONS".
• "DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED" means normal ATC is resumed after an emergency.

Other relevant notes:

• VHF radio frequencies used for communications are from 118.0 to 136.975 MHz.
• The frequency separation between consecutive frequencies in the VHF band is 25 kHz.
• The international emergency frequency is 121.5 MHz.
• When using a blind transmission, the message should be transmitted twice on the designated frequency.
• RNAV means Area Navigation.
• A Conditional clearance is a clearance given with specific limitations.
• An aircraft entering a runway should read back clearance if it is to enter, cross, or backtrack on the runway.
• The maximum distance to expect strong VHF reception over flat terrain at FL140 is approximately 140 NM.
• The correct way to read back a frequency of 132.0083 (8.33kHz spacing) is "132.010".
• The correct readback of a frequency such as 123.725 is "123.725" and not 123.72 or 123.7.
• The correct readback of an altitude such as 13,500 feet is "ONE THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET".
• Test transmissions should include "RADIO CHECK".
• The correct response to "ALL STATIONS, STEPHENVILLE RADAR, DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED" is to resume normal communication on the frequency.
• The correct verification of a message repeated correctly is "CORRECT".
• An aircraft in imminent danger should send "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY".
• An aircraft in URGENCY should send "PAN PAN PAN".
• An aircraft that must land immediately because of a medical emergency that can be handled by the crew should send "PAN PAN MEDICAL".
• To readback a heading and level of 045 and 2500 feet the correct response is "HEADING 045 AT 2500 FEET".
• The correct call sign for "FAST AIR 345" that has a maximum takeoff weight of 136 tons is "FAST AIR 345 HEAVY"
• The correct response for a pilot ready for takeoff is "READY FOR DEPARTURE" or "READY".
• ATC route clearances should always be readback unless otherwise authorized.
• The runway surface condition that would make braking action unreliable is wet snow and slush.
• You should never leave out position and time from a position report.
• The callsign suffix for a station providing approach control is "APPROACH".

Abbreviations and Q Codes

• CHEROKEE XY-ABC is abbreviated as CHEROKEE BC
• TRUE BEARING from a station is represented by the Q code QTE
• MAGNETIC BEARING from a station is represented by the Q code QDM
• Height based on QFE is represented by the Q code QFE

Distress and Urgency

• DISTRESS is defined as the condition where an aircraft is in imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
• URGENCY is defined as a condition of concern for the safety of the aircraft or a person on board, but does not require immediate assistance.
• Pan Pan Pan precedes URGENCY messages.
• Mayday Mayday Mayday precedes DISTRESS messages.

Communications

• ATIS can be found on a discrete VHF or VOR frequency.
• The call from an aircraft for a missed approach is GOING AROUND.
• When asking for a repeat of a message, say SAY AGAIN.
• The use of the word "DECIMAL" can be omitted after the initial call when reporting a frequency.
• The phrase STANDBY is used to indicate that you should wait and the person will call you.

Transponder Codes

• The code 7600 on a transponder indicates loss of communications.
• RESET SQUAWK means reselect the numbers on the control unit.

Communication Errors

• Use CORRECTION to correct a mistake in a transmission
• Use I SAY AGAIN to repeat a word or a message for clarity

Other Terminology

• The abbreviation AFIS stands for Aerodrome Flight Information Service.
• CLEARANCE LIMIT is defined as the point to which an aircraft is granted ATC clearance.
• The instruction HOLD SHORT AT RUNWAY requires the aircraft to HOLDING SHORT.
• The term DISREGARD means ignore.
• READABILITY 3 means readable but with difficulty.
• READABILITY 2 means readable now and then.
• READABILITY 4 means readable.
• CHECK means that you should examine a system or procedure.
• The instruction ORBIT means that the aircraft should perform continuous 360 degree turns.

VHF Frequencies

• The full range of VHF frequencies used for communications is 118.0 to 136.975 MHz.
• 121.5 MHz is the international emergency frequency.

Communication Practices

• In order to make a message effective, speak at a constant volume.
• When making a blind transmission, transmit the message twice.
• The response to a general call from ATC is for the aircraft to give no response.

ATC Messages

• The message "READABILITY 3" means readable but with difficulty.
• The phrase "GO AHEAD" means proceed with your message.
• "CONFIRM SQUAWK" - the controller wants you to transmit your squawk.
• The instruction "MONITOR ..." means listen out on frequency.
• The phrase "BRAKING COEFFICIENT 20" from ATC means braking action is poor.
• The message “REPORT FLIGHT CONDITIONS” requires the aircraft to report VMC/IMC.
• "CLEARANCE FOR IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF RUNWAY 03", means subsequent taxi and takeoff shall be completed in one continuous movement.
• "FRICTION COEFFICIENT 45" indicates good braking action.
• The message “DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED” signifies that normal ATC is resumed after an emergency.
• The phrase "RECLEARED" means a change has been made to your last clearance and this new clearance supersedes your previous clearance.

Other

• An altitude of 13 500 ft would be spoken as ONE THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET.
• The time given in aeronautical communications is UTC.
• A waypoint is a geographical location relating to area navigation (RNAV).
• RVR stands for Runway Visual Range.
• QTE means True bearing from the station.
• An aircraft in urgency shall send the signal Pan Pan Pan by radiotelephony.
• "BLIND TRANSMISSION" is a transmission from one station to another station where two-way communication cannot be established but it is believed that the called station is able to receive the transmission.
• "TEST TRANSMISSION" should include the words RADIO CHECK.
• RNAV stands for Area Navigation.
• The runway surface condition for which braking action would be unreliable is wet snow and slush.