How To Use An Aviation Radio – The Ultimate Guideline

I’m not kidding; if you do not know how to use an aviation radio, you are endangering your life plus that of those on board. It is that serious!

This is why; it is effective communication between you and the air traffic control that makes flights safe and efficient.

However, learning how to use aviation radio involves a lot. That is; you must learn the right words to use, how and when to use them, and how to respond to questions that the air traffic control may ask you.

Giving correct information enables the Air traffic control (ATC) to accord you the right support.

Before I get into details about the aviation radio, let’s answer the question;

How Does Air Traffic Work?

Each hour, there are lots of airplanes in the sky. As such, care must be taken to avoid plane crash due to planes colliding.

The controllers are the ones responsible for managing air traffic. They will, therefore, control the airplanes to ensure that they do not collide.

So, the controllers have to direct pilots when taking off and monitor the distance between planes. Also, they have to give directions during landing. In addition, during bad weather, they offer the right directives.

It is for these reasons that the pilot has to keep constant communication with the controllers. They should also learn how to communicate effectively with the controllers.

As a pilot, ensure that you familiarize yourself with the following basic rules before any transmission.

Learn ATC Communication

As I have said previously, you need to know how to communicate with the controllers effectively. You do this by learning the ATC communication skills.

Therefore, make use of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). This manual is written by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If that be the case, then you bet it has the necessary information for efficient and effective communication between the pilots and the controllers.

Plus, it has the flight rules that all pilots need to know when taking a flight, landing, and while in the airspace. Besides, from the AIM, you will learn all the aviation phraseology as well as communication skills.

Use ATC language

You just don’t learn the ATC communication and call it over. No, you need to use the language as well. Keep practicing; that is how you become perfect in it.

The practical part is what I call the instrument training. Whether you are a recreational pilot who does may not need ATC communication skills, it is still an added advantage to practice using this language.

In most cases, this knowledge can help you when you are in a state of emergency and need to contact the controllers.

If you are training as a private pilot, take that opportunity to learn communication skills as you will be working with the ATC. Then, utilize the skill to the maximum.

Know What to Expect

It is far much better to know what to expect. At least it makes you get the words even if you do not hear them clearly. You see, in aviation communication, the controllers speak fast.

In addition, they use words and numbers to shorten words that could otherwise be too long if they were not shortened. If you do not know what to expect, confusion may hit you as soon as an air traffic controller responds.

Usually, you will receive ATC instructions in the form of numbers and words. The words are to tell you what the numbers mean. For instance, you get instructions such as “climb and maintain.”

In ATC, these three words should be combined to make one word, “climbandmaintain.” They could be followed by an altitude such as “one-two-thousand.”

It may sound difficult at times, but with time, you become better. Thus, I recommend that you be listening to other radio calls even if they do not concern you. Why?

While listening to the conversation, you will learn the language. Still, you will know how to respond to any given instructions. Thus, during your turn, you will know what to expect.

To equip you fully, I am going to give you a few ATC terms that you need to know and remember:

Common ATC Terms

Traffic: ATC uses it when referring to one or more airplanes.

Stand By: Used by pilots or air controllers when they want to pause for a while to attend to something urgent. However, it should not be a long pause. If in case it is longer than usual, it is necessary for the caller to reestablish the connection.

It is good to know that “stand by” may also be in use to mean, “Stand by for clearance.”

Cleared For Takeoff: ATC uses it to notify the pilot that the plane is now allowed to depart.

Fly Heading: Air controllers use this term to instruct the pilot of the heading he ought to fly in. As such, the pilot should turn in the directed direction if he was not headed in the instructed direction.

Have Numbers: Pilots use the term to alert the ATC that they only have an altimeter, runaway, and wind instructions alone.

Line Up And Wait: In most cases, this one is used when there is much traffic that forbids the plane to take off. It can also be used for other reasons other than traffic. Due to these reasons, the pilot is instructed to line up and wait for clearance.

There are many other terms. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of them. Heads up, before any transmission, be sure to keep this in mind:

Be Organized

It is necessary before you reach out to the air controllers; you determine the following; what are the 4 W’s of ATC? Do I have all that it takes to make the call? To ensure that we are clear to the point; briefly, let’s state the 4 W’s of ATC:

• Who are you?
• Who are you talking to?
• Where are you?
• What do you want?

You must have all this information when making the first call. Otherwise, the controllers cannot be in position to help or give you the right information.

Outline Your Purpose Clearly

You can’t just wake up and decide to communicate with air traffic control without any good reason, right? So, have a clear purpose as to why you want to contact the controllers. List it down if necessary.

At times, either because you are panicking or unsure of where you are, you may not be sure how to pass the information to the controllers.

In such cases, it is good to use plain English to at least pass the right information correctly to avoid compromising your safety.

Be Brave

Air traffic controllers are always busy. As such, it is unwise to waste time when communicating with them. It helps to give enough time to the controllers to serve you as well as serve other pilots who may need help.

Therefore, spend as little as 5 seconds in your transmission if there is nothing much to say. Otherwise, if there is much, try and spend approximately 10 seconds. Only ensure that you give all the necessary details.

I have shared the necessary information on how to use an aviation radio. It is now up to you to make use of this guide. With time, you will be an expert.