Airport Communications Procedures Flashcards

When a pilot declares a MAYDAY, what priority does ATC give to that aircraft?

Answer: Immediate priority over all other traffic

A MAYDAY declaration signals a life-threatening emergency, granting the aircraft absolute priority over all other traffic.

What is the correct phraseology for a controller to instruct a pilot to stop transmitting temporarily?

Answer: Stand by

'Stand by' is the standard ICAO/FAA phraseology instructing a station to wait and cease non-emergency transmissions.

Which frequency is designated as the universal emergency frequency monitored by ATC and military facilities?

Answer: 121.5 MHz

121.5 MHz is the international aeronautical emergency frequency continuously monitored by ATC and search-and-rescue agencies.

An airport operations vehicle needs to cross an active runway. What must the driver do before proceeding?

Answer: Obtain explicit clearance from the control tower

Explicit clearance from the air traffic control tower is mandatory before any vehicle crosses an active runway to prevent incursions.

What does the term 'readback' mean in aviation communications?

Answer: Repeating a clearance or instruction back to the controller

A readback requires the recipient to repeat the clearance verbatim so the controller can verify it was received correctly.

Which of the following items must always be read back to ATC?

Answer: Runway crossing and holding instructions, and altimeter settings

FAA Order 7110.65 requires mandatory readback of runway crossing, hold-short instructions, and altimeter settings to prevent misunderstandings.

If airport ground staff cannot establish radio contact with the control tower, what visual signal indicates clearance to proceed onto the runway?

Answer: Steady green light

A steady green light from the tower light gun signals vehicles and aircraft that they are cleared to proceed.