Communications — PPL(A)

CAP 413 phraseology, standard RT call flows, ICAO communication procedures, and the UK Communications exam.

Exam Focus

Most Relevant To

  • Communications
  • Operational Procedures
  • Air Law

Know This Cold

  • ICAO phonetic alphabet — every letter, without hesitation.
  • Read-back requirements — which elements MUST be read back.
  • Distress (MAYDAY) vs. urgency (PAN PAN) — wording, frequency, priority.
  • Radar service types: Flight Information Service, Deconfliction Service, Traffic Service, Full Procedural Service.
  • Frequency ranges: VHF 118–137 MHz; emergency 121.5 MHz.
  • The PASS mnemonic for position reports.

ICAO Phonetic Alphabet

  • A — Alpha B — Bravo C — Charlie D — Delta E — Echo
  • F — Foxtrot G — Golf H — Hotel I — India J — Juliet
  • K — Kilo L — Lima M — Mike N — November O — Oscar
  • P — Papa Q — Quebec R — Romeo S — Sierra T — Tango
  • U — Uniform V — Victor W — Whiskey X — X-Ray Y — Yankee Z — Zulu

Numbers: 0 = Zero, 1 = Wun, 2 = Too, 3 = Tree, 4 = Fower, 5 = Fife, 6 = Six, 7 = Seven, 8 = Ait, 9 = Niner, 1000 = Tousand.

Instructor Tip

The Communications exam includes audio questions — you must recognise phonetics by ear. Practise saying all 26 letters aloud until they are instant. The exam traps are subtle: "Uniform" vs. "Unicorn" or "November" vs. "November" (N registration). Context matters.

Read-Back Requirements

CAP 413 specifies which ATC messages must be read back verbatim. Getting this wrong in the exam or in the air is a common error. When in doubt, read it back — it is never wrong to read back more than required.

  • MUST read back: ATC route clearances, level instructions, heading instructions, speed instructions, SSR codes, VDF information, altimeter settings, runway in use.
  • SHOULD read back: frequency changes, taxi instructions, hold-short instructions.
  • Do NOT read back (acknowledge with callsign only): traffic information, weather information, airfield information broadcasts.

Common Mistake

Students sometimes read back ATIS weather rather than acknowledging. Correct format for ATIS: "[callsign], information [letter]." No repetition of the ATIS content.

Distress and Urgency

MAYDAY is used for an aircraft in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. PAN PAN is used for urgent but not immediately life-threatening situations.

  • MAYDAY format (×3): "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — [callsign] — nature of emergency — position — altitude — intentions — persons on board — any other useful information."
  • PAN PAN format (×3): "PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN — [callsign] — nature of urgency — etc."
  • Transmit on current frequency first. If no response, try 121.5 MHz.
  • Squawk 7700 simultaneously with MAYDAY call.
  • Any station may relay a MAYDAY if the affected aircraft cannot be heard by ATC.

Radar Services (UK)

  • Basic Service (BS): no traffic information, no deconfliction. Pilot responsible for own separation.
  • Traffic Service (TS): traffic information on conflicting traffic. Pilot responsible for separation.
  • Deconfliction Service (DS): deconfliction advice given. Controller issues headings/levels to separate.
  • Procedural Service (PS): IFR separation in non-radar environment.
  • ORCAM: Outside Radar Coverage Area — services may be degraded.

Instructor Tip

The exam asks which service provides which level of protection. Key distinction: Traffic Service gives information; Deconfliction Service gives instructions. Neither replaces your responsibility for see-and-avoid.

Standard Initial Call to an Aerodrome

Step 1

Station name: "[Aerodrome] Approach / Tower / Radio"

Step 2

Callsign: "[G-ABCD]" or type + callsign

Step 3

Position and altitude: "5 nm north-west, 2,500 ft"

Step 4

Intentions: "inbound for landing with information [ATIS letter]"

PASS Position Report Mnemonic

  • P — Position: describe relative to a known point.
  • A — Altitude: QNH level or flight level.
  • S — Speed: IAS if requested or if relevant.
  • S — Surface: intentions/heading/destination.