(background music)
Communication with air traffic control
(ATC) involves exchanging safety-critical

information between pilots and air traffic controllers.
(ding)

Successful communication relies on the use of standard phraseology whenever possible. Effective use of your radio as well as

maintaining a good listening watch also make for safe and effective communication.

Most standard radio transmissions and readbacks are in a format that enable both the pilot and

the air traffic controller to relay required information efficiently and effectively. The

use of non-standard radio calls or readbacks affects the ability of ATC to understand your

intentions and confirm that you have understood your clearance. If your readback is incorrect
(rewind sound)

or incomplete - ATC will need to confirm your understanding; leading to additional conversation
(drip, drip, dip)

complexity - workload and frequency congestion. This may also impact you or other aircraft

by increasing the chances of incorrect information being passed or received.
(paper ruffle sound)

You can check you are up to date with the current requirement by reading the AIP GEN 3.4

which details pilot radio call and readback requirements.

The components of an ATC transmission that will require a pilot to readback are:

an ATC route clearance in its entirety - and any amendments;

any enroute holding instructions; any route and holding point

specified in a taxi clearance; any clearances - conditional clearances

or instructions to hold short of, enter, land on, line-up on,wait, take-off from – cross,

taxi or backtrack on any runway; any approach clearance;

an assigned runway - altimeter settings directed to specific aircraft;

radio and radio navigation aid frequency instructions;

SSR codes or data link logon codes; level - direction of turn and heading

and speed instructions. Pilots often fail to readback
(drip sound)

the taxi holding point (if given during a clearance)

the runway designator.
(drip)

So remember to lock these ones away in your memory bank. Pilots also often fail to read back a radio frequency change prior

to selecting the new frequency.
(white noise)

This means that ATC cannot ensure that you have copied

the correct frequency and will not know which one you are on if you select and incorrect one.
(drip)

Good RTF discipline.

Use standard phraseology whenever possible to prevent misunderstandings. (whoosh sound)

Keep transmissions clear and concise. Think about what you want to say before pressing the button in order
(click sound)

to avoid rambling transmissions. Stick to plain English in unusual or emergency situations where

non-standard phraseology is necessary. Make sure you’re listening on the correct frequency and the
(click sound)

radio volume is at a suitable level. If there is a long period of radio silence - do a radio

check with ATC to ensure that your radio is correctly tuned and is operating normally.

Always listen before broadcasting to make sure no one else is currently using the frequency and

don’t transmit if another aircraft is about to transmit a readback. If you’re unable to make a

call at the required place or time because of frequency congestion - wait for a pause on the

frequency then give ATC an accurate position report with your intentions.

Speak up if you think there is any possibility

that a transmission has been addressed to – or answered by - the wrong station. And also speak

up if you hear two stations over-transmit. There have been some safety occurrences where
(drip sound)

pilots are unsure if a tower is active or if CTAF procedures apply. If you’re unsure, listen to the ATIS.
(white noise)

If the tower is not active - the ATIS will be

information ZULU and will include the time of the activation and the CTAF frequency.

A listening watch is vital for the safe conduct of your flight.

Make sure you actively listen to all transmissions. Use the information gained, to build your situational awareness

and to assist you to see and avoid other aircraft.

Effective communication between pilots and ATC is critical to safe operations.

In the event of radio failure after checking the most likely cause follow the emergency procedures detailed in both the emergency procedures and local procedures in ERSA.

More pilot safety information is available on the Airservices website at Bit.ly forward slash pilot safety for short.
(drip)

If you’ve any questions or you’d like to provide us some feedback,
(typing sound)

please email us at safety promotions at airservicesaustralia.com. Thanks for watching, have a safe flight.