CFC Aviation Phraseology & Standard Terminology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the ATC instruction 'SQUAWK IDENT' require the pilot to do?
- State the aircraft callsign over the radio
- Change the transponder to the emergency code 7700
- Press the IDENT button on the transponder (Correct answer)
- Increase transponder power output manually
Correct answer: Press the IDENT button on the transponder
Pressing IDENT causes the aircraft's transponder return to highlight on the radar display for approximately 18 seconds, aiding controller identification.
Question 2: When a controller issues the clearance 'CLEARED AS FILED,' the pilot is authorized to:
- Use any available route to reach the destination
- Proceed via the route exactly as submitted in the flight plan (Correct answer)
- File a revised flight plan before departing
- Depart immediately without a formal void time
Correct answer: Proceed via the route exactly as submitted in the flight plan
'Cleared as filed' means the ATC clearance matches the submitted flight plan with no route changes required.
Question 3: In the ICAO phonetic alphabet used in aviation, the letter 'W' is represented by:
- Wilson
- Whiskey (Correct answer)
- Warden
- Walter
Correct answer: Whiskey
The ICAO phonetic alphabet uses 'Whiskey' for W to ensure intelligibility across different languages and radio conditions.
Question 4: When an ATC clearance includes the word 'EXPEDITE,' the pilot should:
- Request additional time before complying
- Acknowledge and comply at a normal pace
- Comply with the instruction promptly and without delay (Correct answer)
- Declare a passenger emergency to ATC
Correct answer: Comply with the instruction promptly and without delay
'Expedite' is used when prompt compliance is essential, typically for traffic separation or safety reasons.
Question 5: A readability of '3' on the five-point radio readability scale indicates the transmission is:
- Unreadable
- Readable now and then
- Readable but with difficulty (Correct answer)
- Perfectly readable
Correct answer: Readable but with difficulty
The scale runs from 1 (unreadable) to 5 (perfectly readable); a rating of 3 indicates the signal is audible but requires effort to understand.
Question 6: The phrase 'NEGATIVE CONTACT' in aviation communications typically means:
- The transponder is not responding to interrogation
- Radio communication has completely failed
- The pilot has not established visual or radio contact with the referenced traffic or facility (Correct answer)
- ATC cannot hear the pilot's current transmission
Correct answer: The pilot has not established visual or radio contact with the referenced traffic or facility
'Negative contact' informs ATC that the pilot has been unable to see or communicate with the specified traffic or station.
Question 7: When a controller transmits 'SAY AGAIN,' what is being requested?
- Confirm the last clearance was correct
- Repeat the previous transmission (Correct answer)
- Restate the aircraft type
- Confirm current position and altitude
Correct answer: Repeat the previous transmission
'Say again' is the standard aviation phrase for requesting a repeat of the previous transmission, replacing the non-standard word 'repeat.'
CFC Aviation Phraseology & Standard Terminology 2
What does the ATC instruction 'SQUAWK IDENT' require the pilot to do?