Practice test
Unit 8 · Airports and Communication · Lesson 3 of 4

Radio communication

10 min readLesson 36 of 593D lab

By the end of this lesson you'll be able to:
  • Make clear radio calls at towered and non-towered airports
  • Use the phonetic alphabet and number pronunciation
  • Know the light gun signals and emergency transponder codes

The formula

Almost every call follows the same order: who you're calling, who you are, where you are, what you want.

At a towered airport: "Ogden Tower, Cessna One Two Three Foxtrot Papa, ten miles south, two thousand five hundred, inbound for landing with information Charlie."

At a non-towered airport, on the CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency), you talk to the other pilots: "Brigham City traffic, Cessna Three Foxtrot Papa, entering left downwind runway three four, Brigham City." Say the airport name at the start and end, since several airports often share a frequency.

ATIS

At most towered airports, listen to the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) first. It's a recording of the weather, runway in use and notices, identified by a phonetic letter. Tell ATC you have it: "with information Charlie."

Phonetic alphabet and numbers

Letters use the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie... Zulu). Numbers are said individually, with "tree" for 3, "fife" for 5 and "niner" for 9 in standard phraseology. Altitudes use "thousand" and "hundred": 4,500 is "four thousand five hundred."

Readbacks

Read back clearances, runway assignments and all hold short instructions. If you're not sure what ATC said, ask: "Say again." It's always better to ask than to guess.

Transponder codes

  • 1200: VFR (when not assigned a code)
  • 7500: hijacking
  • 7600: lost communications
  • 7700: emergency

Light gun signals

SignalOn the groundIn the air
Steady greenCleared for takeoffCleared to land
Flashing greenCleared to taxiReturn for landing (to be followed by steady green)
Steady redStopGive way to other aircraft and continue circling
Flashing redTaxi clear of the runway in useAirport unsafe, do not land
Flashing whiteReturn to starting point on airportNot applicable
Alternating red and greenExercise extreme caution
Try it in 3D: The traffic pattern in 3DWatch every leg with the radio call and checklist for each.

Key takeaways

  • Every call: who you're calling, who you are, where you are, what you want.
  • Always read back hold short instructions.
  • Codes: 1200 VFR, 7500 hijack, 7600 lost comms, 7700 emergency.

What the examiner may ask

Practice answering out loud before you open each answer.

What do you do if your radio fails at a towered airport?
Squawk 7600, stay outside or remain clear until you determine the traffic flow, join the pattern, and watch the tower for light gun signals. Acknowledge by rocking wings in flight (or flashing lights at night).
Make your initial call to a tower.
Who you're calling, who you are, where you are, what you want, and the ATIS letter.
What frequency would you use at a non-towered airport?
The CTAF listed on the chart and in the Chart Supplement.

Common mistakes

  • Making long, rambling radio calls.
  • Not reading back hold short instructions.
  • Guessing instead of saying 'say again'.

Read it in the FAA sources

PHAK · Chapter 14Airport OperationsOpens the PHAK at this chapter ↗

Go deeper on the site

Prep: Radio Calls and Traffic Patterns

Lesson check

Get every question right to complete the lesson. Take your time; wrong answers explain why.

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