Comms Exam

Question 1

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?

Answer 1

89 nm

Question 2

The meaning and implication of a “readability 2” is:

Answer 2

Readable now and then, and you should not depart if you’re still on the ground

Question 3

When’s the phrase “take-off” allowed to be used?

Answer 3

Only when reading back a take-off clearance from ATC

Question 4

Which of the following pieces of information given by an ATSU must be read back by the pilot?

Answer 4

Level instructions

Question 5

When you need to activate a formal (ATS) flight plan in flight, how can this be achieved?

Answer 5

Request an ATSU to activate the flight plan

Question 6

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?

Answer 6

Make a MAYDAY call on the current frequency and retain the 4501 squawk

Question 7

In the event of a radio failure the transponder mode A should be set to:

Answer 7

7600

Question 8

When should a prefix of “student” be used?

Answer 8

When a student is flying solo, and can be used on all calls if necessary

Question 9

In a distress situation, the pilot should first initiate a MAYDAY call:

Answer 9

On the current frequency

Question 10

Which of these words/phrases indicate that a message should be ignored?

Answer 10

Disregard

Question 11

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?

Answer 11

Earls Colne Radio

Question 12

What’s a VOLMET?

Answer 12

Meteorological actual reports for certain groups of aerodromes broadcast on specific frequencies

Question 13

ATIS is used for what purpose?

Answer 13

To revive the necessary routine information for departures and arrivals at a particular airfield

Question 14

Which of the following phrases contains correct terminology?

Answer 14

Heading two three zero degrees

Question 15

The correct transponder code to use associated with a emergency category radio message (providing no other transponder code has been allocated by ATC) is:

Answer 15

7700

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct phraseology when reading back a QNH of 1001?

Answer 16

QNH “wun zero zero wun”

Question 17

What’s the effect of altitude on the range (theoretical) of a VHF radio?

Answer 17

An increase in altitude will increase range

Question 18

A pilot hears a PAN PAN transmission. What should the pilot do?

Answer 18

Listen out, write down as much information from the PAN PAN call as possible, and don’t interrupt.

Question 19

Aeronautical messages are given an order of priority. Which of the following statements reflects the correct order of priority?

Answer 19

Messages relating to direction finding take precedence over meteorological messages

Question 20

What’s the correct way to say frequency 125.800 MHz?

Answer 20

“Wun too fife dayseemal ait”

Question 21

During flight, a pilot is informed of an emergency situation requiring immediate assistance. Which of the following answers is correct?

Answer 21

The pilot should make a MAYDAY call on the frequency currently in use since this is a DISTRESS situation

Question 22

A special VFR (SVFR) clearance is issued to allow:

Answer 22

Flight in a CTR (normally at the pilots’s request) where compliance with IFR isn’t possible

Question 23

ATC transmit the following; “G-BXJB, surface wind 230 degrees 9 knots, cleared for take-off”. What category of message is this?

Answer 23

A flight safety message

Question 24

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?

Answer 24

Only the 4 digit transponder code as set by the pilot

Question 25

The definition of a message that falls within the URGENCY classification is:

Answer 25

Concerning the safety of an a/c or other vehicle, or some person on board or within sight, but doesn’t require immediate assistance

Question 26

A readability scale of 3 is defined as:

Answer 26

Readable but with difficulty

Question 27

Following an apparent radio failure of the a/c equipment, what procedure should be adopted with regards to transmissions?

Answer 27

Continue to make radio calls preceded by the phrase “transmitting blind, transmitting blind”

Question 28

The emergency message category contains two classifications of message which are:

Answer 28

Distress and urgency

Question 29

The correct call when you’re ready to take-off is:

Answer 29

Ready for departure

Question 30

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?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

When might a pilot be unable to establish two-way radio communications?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

If ATC uses the phrase “read back”, what does this mean?

Answer 32

Repeat all of, or the specific part of the message exactly as you received

Question 33

What’s the meaning of “WILCO”?

Answer 33

I have understood your transmission and will comply with your instruction

Question 34

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)

Answer 34

(i) 2,000; (ii) 1,000

Question 35

ROGER means:

Answer 35

I’ve received all of your last transmission

Question 36

You may abbreviate your call-sign:

Answer 36

Only after first abbreviated by ATC and there’s no likelihood of confusion

Question 37

The correct choice of responses to a question of “are you able to accept a climb”? Are:

Answer 37

AFFIRM or NEGATIVE

Question 38

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?

Answer 38

The primary radar isn’t working, so ATC can only “see” a/c that have a working transponder

Question 39

A pilot requires a magnetic heading towards a VDF station. In the request, the correct RTF terminology should include the term:

Answer 39

QDM

Question 40

What methods are available to a pilot during flight to obtain weather information?

Answer 40

ATIS, VOLMET, ATSU

Question 41

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:

Answer 41

OVERHEAD, DEAD SIDE DESCENDING

Question 42

What does the phrase “break, break” mean?

Answer 42

It indicates the separation between messages transmitted to different a/c in a very busy environment

Question 43

At the planning stage of a VFR flight, where is it best to obtain current meteorological information?

Answer 43

By self-briefing using official published weather information

Question 44

“G-BXJB read back QNH”. What should the pilot of G-BXJB do on receipt of this transmission?

Answer 44

The pilot should read back the QNH that the controller has specified in a previous message

Question 45

The “IDENT” functionality on a transponder is used when, and for what purpose:

Answer 45

To highlight the a/c on the radar controller’s screen, and should only be used when requested by ATC

Question 46

“MONITOR 123.425” means a pilot should:

Answer 46

Change frequency to 123.425 and listen out

Question 47

ATC instructs you to “recycle squawk”. You should:

Answer 47

Set transponder to standby, select a different squawk code, then set the correct squawk code (again), select transponder to mode A+C

Question 48

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?

Answer 48

Squawk 7600 and make blind calls on the appropriate frequencies

Question 49

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?

Answer 49

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

Question 50

Within the AIP, the radio facility for BEAUCHAMP is stated as “AGCS 122.335”. How should the pilot address the situation?

Answer 50

BEAUCHAMP RADIO

Question 51

Which of the following combinations of ATSU and air traffic services correctly defines the full range of services they can offer?

Answer 51

AFIS can offer: alerting service, basic service

Question 52

“G-BXJB” behind the landing 737, rwy 23, lineup and wait behind”, is what type of clearance?

Answer 52

A conditional clearance

Question 53

The correct pronunciation for the number 1,800 when used to pass your altitude or height is:

Answer 53

“Wun tousand ait hundred”

Question 54

What is the correct radio telephony pronunciation of the a/c registration G-MHQI?

Answer 54

GOLF MIKE HOTEL QUEBEC INDIA

Question 55

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?

Answer 55

A flight safety message

Question 56

The correct content and order for a formal position report is:

Answer 56

A/c call sign, present position, time, level, next position, ETA

Question 57

Your radio check is reported as “readability 3”:

Answer 57

You shouldn’t depart if you haven’t already done so

Question 58

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?

Answer 58

Remain outside the controlled airspace

Question 59

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 59

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

Question 60

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?

Answer 60

Change the frequency back to 125.800 and state “Wattisham approach, G-BXJB no contact with Bognor approach on 129.630”

Question 61

Having just changed to a new frequency, what should a pilot do before making a transmission?

Answer 61

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

Question 62

What’s the purpose of ATIS?

Answer 62

To reduce RTF air time allowing pilots to gather approach and departure information before establishing communication with an ATSU

Question 63

After landing, on leaving the rwy and taxiing past the hold point for that rwy, the correct terminology to use is:

Answer 63

Rwy vacated

Question 64

What’s the correct radio telephony pronunciation of “maintaining a vertical position of 12,000 feet on the QNH of 1012”?

Answer 64

“Maintaining altitude one two thousand feet”

Question 65

The correct abbreviation of the call-sign “Yak G-BXJB” is:

Answer 65

Yak JB

Question 66

Which of the following items transmitted by ATC to the pilot must be read back by the pilot?

Answer 66

Altitude or height to fly

Question 67

What’s a QDM?

Answer 67

A magnetic bearing to fly to get to the station not allowing for wind

Question 68

If an ATSU requests “G-BXJB confirm level” whilst you have a transponder set to mode A+C, the reason for this is to:

Answer 68

Check the accuracy of the altitude reporting by the transponder encoder and radar system to the controller

Question 69

A FMC (frequency monitoring code) is what?

Answer 69

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)

Question 70

Prior to making a practice emergency call with “London centre” (distress and diversion), which answer describes the correct procedure to follow?

Answer 70

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

Question 71

“True bearing, true bearing, Wattisham approach, G-BXJB request true bearing, G-BXJB” is what category of message?

Answer 71

A direction finding message

Question 72

“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?

Answer 72

A route or departure clearance

Question 73

Which of the following describes the best general advice on the use of 121.500MHz?

Answer 73

Pilots should make use of the assistance as soon as there’s any doubt about the safe conduct of the flight

Question 74

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?

Answer 74

“Southend tower, golf bravo x-ray Juliet bravo”

Question 75

In the context of a radio telephony transmission, when is “I SAY AGAIN” used?

Answer 75

For emphasis - the information is repeated

Question 76

Before crossing a MATZ, a request should be made at least…(i)…, or…(ii)… from the boundary whichever is sooner:

Answer 76

(i) 15nm; (ii) 5 minutes

Question 77

What’s the correct way to transmit a time of 1800 BST?

Answer 77

One seven zero zero

Question 78

How can “London centre (121.500MHz) assist pilots who’re uncertain of their position by the use of VDF?

Answer 78

By providing a position fix to the pilot through auto-triangulation of their radio transmissions (DF bearings)

Question 79

Which of the following statements is correct regarding ATSU’s and their respective call-signs?

Answer 79

ATC call-sings: radar, approach, tower, director

Question 80

You’re cleared to climb to HEIGHT 2,500 feet. Your altimeter should be set to:

Answer 80

QFE

Question 81

During flight, you hear a message transmitted from another a/c starting with; “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”. What’s this message, and what should your immediate action be?

Answer 81

This is a distress message concerning the a/c or person on board the a/c transmitting the message. Your immediate action is to remain silent

Question 82

Which of the following is the correct phraseology when reading back a QNH of 1001?

Answer 82

QNH wun zero zero wun

Question 83

Which of the following doesn’t need to be read back to ATC by a pilot?

Answer 83

The position of any traffic information given

Question 84

ATC requests you “confirm squawk”. You should:

Answer 84

Check and confirm the correct code is set on the transponder

Question 85

The correct phraseology to cancel a distress message is:

Answer 85

MAYDAY, call-sign, cancel MAYDAY, reason

Question 86

You (G-BXJB) hear a MAYDAY call from another a/c (G-EMER) on the current frequency which isn’t answered by ATC (lazy approach). You should:

Answer 86

Relay the MAYDAY as follows: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY lazy approach G-BXJB, have intercepted MAYDAY from G-EMER…” (followed by the rest of the message transmitted by G-EMER)

Question 87

A pilot has requested and received a VFR clearance to transit a class D control zone. Before entry, a radio communications failure occurs. What’s the most correct answer from those below?

Answer 87

Continue as planned and continue with the transit as cleared, and land at the nearest suitable airfield, unless if the clearance was for a SVFR transit, in which case remain outside the controlled airspace

Question 88

A PAN PAN call is what category of message?

Answer 88

An urgency message

Question 89

A QDR gives the pilot:

Answer 89

A magnetic bearing of the a/c from the ground station

Question 90

A pilot is flying an a/c VFR, isn’t in communications with any ATSU, and not using a frequency monitoring code (listening squawk). What transponder setting should the pilot use?

Answer 90

Squawk 7000 with ALT selected