Radio Reminders

(The following extract is from the January/February 2014 edition of Vector magazine)

This article is a refresher for all pilots, covering some of the more common radiotelephony issues.

The radio helps us maintain a high level of situation awareness. But in order to do this, the radio calls we make must be of a high quality.

Say it Right

There are four elements of an effective radio call: Clear, Concise, Consistent and Correct.

Clear. Speak clearly and slowly so that others can understand your transmissions.

Concise. Always plan what you are going to say next to eliminate the ums and errs, and don’t give a full itinerary of your flight. Keep the calls brief so that they enhance the situational awareness of others. Too many calls have the opposite effect.

Consistent. When you transmit information, get it in the right order to help match the listener’s expectations. Also use the standard phraseology. This will help everyone understand, and it cuts down on the length of your calls. If there isn’t a standard phrase for a particular situation use plain English.

Correct. Be accurate. The expressions ‘abeam’ or ‘approaching’ somewhere are of no help, and must be avoided.

Keep it Standard

It’s important to keep your radio calls standard and in the right order. There are a couple of aids you can use when making a call.

The first is the four W’s

Who you are calling

Who you are

Where you are

What you want.

The second mnemonic is useful for your position reports. PTA-ETA.
That is, Position – Time (when relevant) – Altitude – ETA, and intentions if applicable.

For a full description about radio procedures go to the CAA website and download AC91-9.