FEAST ATC English Language Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A controller issues the instruction: 'Speedbird 412, reduce speed to one eight zero knots, expect further reduction on final.' What are the two instructions contained in this message?
- Reduce to 180 knots now, and expect another speed reduction later (Correct answer)
- Reduce to 180 knots only when on final approach
- Maintain 180 knots and request further clearance
- Reduce speed and contact approach on a new frequency
Correct answer: Reduce to 180 knots now, and expect another speed reduction later
The phrase 'reduce speed to one eight zero knots' is an immediate instruction, while 'expect further reduction on final' is advance notice of a future action.
ATC instructions often combine an immediate clearance with anticipatory information. 'Reduce speed to 180 knots' must be acted on immediately. 'Expect further reduction on final' advises the crew to be ready for another speed change during the approach, helping them plan. Reading these as two distinct elements is a critical comprehension skill.
Question 2: The ATIS broadcast states: 'Runway 27L in use, ILS approach, surface wind two six zero at one five, visibility ten kilometres, few clouds at two thousand five hundred feet, QNH one zero one three.' What is the active runway and the visibility?
- Runway 27L; visibility 10 km (Correct answer)
- Runway 27; visibility 15 km
- Runway 26; visibility 2,500 m
- Runway 27L; visibility 2,500 ft
Correct answer: Runway 27L; visibility 10 km
The ATIS clearly states 'Runway 27L in use' and 'visibility ten kilometres'.
ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) broadcasts use standardised phrasing. 'Runway 27L in use' designates the left runway on heading 270. 'Visibility ten kilometres' is standard UK/ICAO phrasing for 10 km. The wind of 260/15 and clouds at 2,500 ft are separate weather elements. Confusing different numeric values is a common comprehension error.
Question 3: A pilot reads back: 'Cleared to land runway zero nine, wind check please, EasyJet 731.' What is the pilot requesting in addition to the landing clearance?
- A current surface wind report (Correct answer)
- Permission to change runway
- The latest weather METAR
- Confirmation of the QNH setting
Correct answer: A current surface wind report
'Wind check please' is a standard pilot request for the current surface wind, typically made when wind conditions are marginal.
Pilots sometimes append short requests to their read-backs. 'Wind check' is a recognised phrase requesting the latest surface wind observation. Controllers typically respond with current direction and speed. This differs from asking for a METAR (full weather report) or QNH (altimeter setting). Recognising embedded requests within read-backs is an important ATC comprehension skill.
Question 4: A controller says: 'Ryanair 8543, I have a crossing traffic conflict, stop descent, maintain flight level two eight zero, advise when ready to copy amended routing.' What does the controller need the pilot to do first?
- Stop descending and level off at FL280 (Correct answer)
- Copy the amended routing immediately
- Report the conflicting traffic in sight
- Turn to avoid the crossing traffic
Correct answer: Stop descending and level off at FL280
The phrase 'stop descent, maintain flight level two eight zero' is the immediate instruction; the routing amendment comes after.
When multiple instructions are issued, they are prioritised by urgency. Here the controller first resolves the immediate conflict by stopping the descent at FL280. The request to 'advise when ready to copy amended routing' is secondary and requires pilot acknowledgement before additional information is given. Identifying the sequence and priority of instructions is fundamental in ATC comprehension.
Question 5: The phrase 'WILCO' used in ATC communications means:
- Will comply — the instruction is understood and will be followed (Correct answer)
- Wireless communications are operational
- Weather information received and logged in cockpit
- Will call on new frequency once level
Correct answer: Will comply — the instruction is understood and will be followed
'WILCO' is an ICAO-standard abbreviation meaning 'will comply', indicating the pilot has understood and will carry out the instruction.
'WILCO' derives from 'will comply' and is used in aviation radio communications to confirm that a clearance or instruction is understood and will be acted upon. It implicitly includes 'roger' (message received), so saying 'roger wilco' is technically redundant. Understanding standard ICAO phraseology is essential for both controllers and pilots, and is specifically assessed in the FEAST English comprehension module.
Question 6: A departure clearance reads: 'Lufthansa 456, cleared to Frankfurt via Westerly One departure, squawk four five three one, climb initially flight level eight zero, expect flight level three five zero ten minutes after departure.' When can the aircraft expect FL350?
- Approximately 10 minutes after becoming airborne (Correct answer)
- After reaching FL80 and requesting further climb
- Once cleared by Frankfurt approach control
- After squawking 4531 and confirming departure
Correct answer: Approximately 10 minutes after becoming airborne
'Expect flight level three five zero ten minutes after departure' is a time-based expectation from the moment the aircraft departs.
Departure clearances often include an initial climb level and an 'expect' higher level for flight planning purposes. 'Ten minutes after departure' measures from the moment the aircraft becomes airborne. This helps the crew plan fuel burn and TOC. The 'expect' wording means it is not guaranteed — ATC may assign FL350 earlier or later based on traffic. Parsing time-conditional expectations accurately is a key comprehension skill.
FEAST ATC English Language Comprehension 2
A controller issues the instruction: 'Speedbird 412, reduce speed to one eight zero knots, expect further reduction on final.' What are the two instructions contained in this message?