Aeronautical Knowledge – Communications

Too often, the subject of radio communications is treated as an ‘after thought’ in pilot training. The student pilot may be expected to learn largely from their own training experience but, without a deeper knowledge of proper radio phraseology and Air Traffic Service (ATS) procedures, the student becomes a pilot who is under-confident in use of the radio and dealing with any ATS unit other than that at their home airfield.

This potential shortcoming was addressed in the 2015 EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) courses, produced by a team of experienced flying instructors and examiners put together by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This new syllabus is designed to bring PPL and LAPL training in-line with the modern training environment. In particular, the new training courses are focused on providing up-to-date and practical aeronautical knowledge, rather than requiring the pilot to rote learn largely academic and irrelevant material with little application to ‘real world’ flying.

To make the most of this new approach to PPL and LAPL theoretical knowledge, Aeronautical Knowledge, Communications is part of a brand new series of aviation training manuals, designed from the beginning to take full advantage of this new methodology in aviation training. In this book, AFE has produced a totally new publication for the subject of Communications, fully aligned with the 2015 EASA PPL and LAPL syllabi and providing the pilot with a deeper understanding of the day-to-day radio procedures in accordance with European standards including the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA).

Aeronautical Knowledge, Communications approaches the subject of radio phraseology and procedures on a ‘step-by-step’ basis, from a starting point assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, through to a comprehensive coverage of practical radio communications for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight. In line with modern teaching methodology, the emphasis is on developing sound knowledge and practical skills, rather than requiring the student pilot to learn purely academic material with little or no application to day-to-day operations.

Aeronautical Knowledge, Communications is part of a new series of publications marking a fresh and modern approach to Theoretical Knowledge training. This series is now delivering the real-word aeronautical knowledge that today’s pilot need – not just to pass the relevant exams but also to operate safely and proficiently in the modern aviation environment.

Aeronautical Knowledge, Communications is suitable for use in conjunction with training courses for the following pilot licences:

• EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL) (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
• EASA Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
• UK National PPL (NPPL)
• ICAO-compliant PPL or equivalent licence
• Core knowledge for EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
• Foundation knowledge for EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
• Foundation knowledge for EASA Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL)

It also provides foundation knowledge for an Air Transport Operations/Management degree or similar academic qualification.

Aeronautical Knowledge, Communications Contents

C1 VHF Radio Broadcast

Factors affecting VHF radio range

Progress check

C2 Transmission Technique

Transmission of letters

Transmission of numbers

Transmission of time

Call signs

Progress check

C3 VFR Communications Procedures

Test procedures

Standard phraseology

Items requiring read back

Transfer of communications

Transponder operating procedures

Progress check

C4 Weather Information

ATIS and VOLMET broadcasts, Flight Information Service (FIS)

Progress check

C5 Communications Failure

Actions in the event of communication failure

Progress check

C6 Distress and Urgency Procedures

Emergency frequencies and facilities

Distress procedures

Urgency procedures

Progress check

C7 National Procedures

National rules and procedures

Progress check