Safety net -
communication
with air traffic
control.
Communication with air traffic control (ATC) AIP GEN 3.4 -12 details pilot radio call and readback
involves exchanging safety-critical information requirements. The following components of an ATC
between pilots and air traffic controllers. transmission will require readback:
Successful communication relies on the use of 1. an ATC route clearance in its entirety, and any
standard phraseology whenever possible. amendments
Radiotelephony (RTF) discipline and maintaining a 2. any en route holding instructions
good listening watch also make for safe and effective 3. any route and holding point specified in a taxi
communication. clearance
4. any clearances, conditional clearances or
instructions to hold short of, enter, land on, line-
Phraseology and readbacks? up on, wait, take-off from, cross, taxi or backtrack
on any runway
Most standard radio transmissions and readbacks are 5. any approach clearance
in a format that enables both the pilot and the air 6. assigned runway, altimeter settings directed to
traffic controller to relay required information specific aircraft, radio and radio navigation aid
efficiently and effectively. The use of non-standard frequency instructions
radio calls or readbacks affects the ability of ATC to 7. SSR codes, data link logon codes
understand your intentions and confirm that you have 8. level, direction of turn, heading and speed
understood your clearance. instructions.
If your readback is incorrect or incomplete, ATC will
need to confirm your understanding; leading to
additional conversation, complexity, workload and
frequency congestion. This may also impact you or
other aircraft by increasing the chances of incorrect
information being passed or received.
Airservices Australia, June 2023.
Common errors Is the tower active?
Common errors include the failure to read back: There have been some safety occurrences where
pilots are unsure if a tower is active or if CTAF
the taxi holding point (if given during a clearance) procedures apply. If you are unsure, listen to the ATIS.
the runway designator. If the tower is not active, the ATIS will be information
ZULU and will include the time of activation and the
Pilots also often fail to read back a radio frequency CTAF frequency.
change prior to selecting the new frequency. This
means that ATC cannot ensure that you have copied Maintain a listening watch
the correct frequency and will not know which one
you are on, if you select and incorrect frequency.
A listening watch is vital for the safe conduct of your
flight.
Good RTF discipline
Make sure you:
Use standard phraseology whenever possible to actively listen to all transmissions
prevent misunderstandings. use the information gained from listening to build
your situational awareness and to assist you to
Keep transmissions clear and concise. see-and avoid other aircraft.
Think about what you want to say before pressing
Radio failure
the button in order to avoid rambling
transmissions.
Effective radio communication between pilots and
ATC is critical to safe operations. In the event of a
Stick to plain English in unusual or emergency
radio failure, after checking the most likely cause of
situations where non-standard phraseology is
the radio failure (for example, volume, incorrect
necessary.
frequency etc.) ensure you follow the communication
failure procedures detailed in both the Emergency
Make sure you are listening on the correct
Procedures and Local Procedures sections of ERSA.
frequency and the radio volume is at a suitable
level.
More information
If there is a long period of radio silence, do a
radio check with ATC to ensure that your radio is More pilot safety information is available on the
correctly tuned and is operating normally. Airservices website at
bit.ly/pilotsafety.
Always listen before broadcasting to make sure
no one else is currently using the frequency. Do
not transmit if another aircraft is about to transmit
a readback.
If 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 If you have any feedback or questions about this
accurate position report with your intentions. Do publication please email,
not enter airspace for which ATC clearance is
[email protected].
required.
Speak up if you think there is any possibility that a
transmission has been addressed to, or answered
by, the wrong station.
Speak up if you hear two stations over-transmit.
View more pilot safety material at bit.ly/pilotsafety. airservicesaustralia.com.au
Airservices Australia, June 2023.
