Communications and Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real ATPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Communications and Procedures flashcards as text
When should a pilot use the phrase 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY' on the radio?
Answer: When facing a distress condition involving grave and imminent danger
MAYDAY is the international radiotelephony distress signal indicating a grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance — the highest priority emergency call.
The phrase 'PAN PAN PAN' on the radio indicates:
Answer: An urgency condition — a serious problem that does not require immediate assistance
PAN PAN is the international urgency signal indicating a serious situation that requires assistance but is not immediately life-threatening, having priority below MAYDAY.
When a pilot reads back an ATC clearance incorrectly, the controller should:
Answer: Issue a correction and ensure the pilot acknowledges the correct clearance
ATC is responsible for ensuring pilots have correctly understood clearances; if a readback is incorrect, the controller must issue a correction and confirm the pilot acknowledges the correct version.
Which frequency is the international aeronautical emergency frequency?
Answer: 121.5 MHz
121.5 MHz is the international civil aeronautical emergency frequency (Guard), monitored by all commercial aircraft and ATC facilities.
SELCAL (Selective Calling System) is primarily used to:
Answer: Alert a specific aircraft that ATC wishes to communicate, eliminating the need for continuous radio monitoring
SELCAL allows ATC to alert a specific aircraft using a unique 4-letter code that triggers a chime in the cockpit, freeing the crew from constant HF radio monitoring on long oceanic flights.
Under ICAO phonetic alphabet, the letter 'W' is transmitted as:
Answer: Whisky
In the ICAO/NATO phonetic alphabet, 'W' is transmitted as 'Whisky' to ensure clarity and avoid confusion during radio communications.