Title: FlightPerformanceCalc Aviation / Radio, ATC & Clearances
Tags: radio-atc

Tag: Phonetics
Question: NATO phonetic alphabet, A through M.
Answer: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike.
Ref: RADIO, · 01

Tag: Phonetics
Question: NATO phonetic alphabet, N through Z.
Answer: November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
Ref: RADIO, · 02

Tag: Phonetics
Question: How are the numbers 3, 5, and 9 spoken on the radio?
Answer: Three = "tree," five = "fife," nine = "niner." Digits are usually spoken individually; altitudes are grouped (e.g., "ten thousand five hundred").
Ref: RADIO, · 03

Tag: Phraseology
Question: What are the four parts of an initial radio call?
Answer: Who you're calling, who you are, where you are, and what you want. Example: "Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk 12345, ten miles south, landing with information Bravo."
Ref: RADIO, · 04

Tag: Phraseology
Question: Define Roger, Wilco, Affirmative, and Negative.
Answer: Roger = I received all of your last transmission (it does NOT mean "yes"). Wilco = will comply. Affirmative = yes. Negative = no.
Ref: RADIO, · 05

Tag: Phraseology
Question: Define "Say again," "Standby," "Unable," and "Say intentions."
Answer: Say again = repeat your last transmission. Standby = wait, I'll get back to you. Unable = I cannot comply. Say intentions = tell me what you plan to do.
Ref: RADIO, · 06

Tag: ATIS
Question: What is ATIS and how do you use it?
Answer: Automatic Terminal Information Service — a recorded loop of weather and airport information at busy fields, updated hourly and labeled with a phonetic letter ("information Alpha"). Tell ATC you "have information Alpha" on first contact.
Ref: RADIO, · 07

Tag: Weather
Question: ASOS vs AWOS?
Answer: Automated weather stations that broadcast observations over a frequency or by phone at airports without ATIS. ASOS is the primary U.S. network (NWS/FAA); AWOS systems are often airport-owned and vary in what they report.
Ref: RADIO, · 08

Tag: Transponder
Question: What does transponder code 1200 mean?
Answer: The standard VFR squawk code in the United States.
Ref: RADIO, · 09

Tag: Transponder
Question: Meaning of emergency codes 7500, 7600, and 7700?
Answer: 7500 = hijack/unlawful interference. 7600 = lost communications (radio failure). 7700 = emergency. Memory aid: "7500 taken alive, 7600 radio nix, 7700 going to heaven."
Ref: RADIO, · 10

Tag: Transponder
Question: Define "squawk," "ident," and "squawk standby."
Answer: Squawk = set this transponder code. Ident = press the IDENT button to highlight your target on the controller's scope. Squawk standby = set the transponder to standby (no return transmitted).
Ref: RADIO, · 11

Tag: Light Gun
Question: STEADY GREEN light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
Answer: In flight: cleared to land. On the ground: cleared for takeoff.
Ref: RADIO, · 12

Tag: Light Gun
Question: FLASHING GREEN light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
Answer: In flight: return for landing (to be followed by a steady green). On the ground: cleared to taxi.
Ref: RADIO, · 13

Tag: Light Gun
Question: STEADY RED light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
Answer: In flight: give way to other aircraft and continue circling. On the ground: stop.
Ref: RADIO, · 14

Tag: Light Gun
Question: FLASHING RED light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
Answer: In flight: airport unsafe, do not land. On the ground: taxi clear of the runway in use.
Ref: RADIO, · 15

Tag: Light Gun
Question: FLASHING WHITE and ALTERNATING RED-AND-GREEN light gun signals?
Answer: Flashing white (ground only): return to your starting point on the airport. Alternating red-and-green: exercise extreme caution (applies in flight and on the ground).
Ref: RADIO, · 16

Tag: Clearances
Question: The components of an IFR clearance — the "CRAFT" mnemonic?
Answer: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency (departure), Transponder code. Copy it down and read it back.
Ref: RADIO, · 17

Tag: Lost Comms
Question: VFR lost-communications procedure at a towered airport.
Answer: Squawk 7600, stay clear as needed, and watch the tower for light-gun signals. Acknowledge by rocking your wings (day) or flashing your landing light (night).
Ref: RADIO, · 18

Tag: Lost Comms
Question: IFR lost comms — how do you choose route and altitude (91.185)?
Answer: Route "AVE-F": Assigned, Vectored (toward), Expected, or Filed — in that priority. Altitude "MEA": fly the HIGHEST of the Minimum En route Altitude, the Expected altitude, or the Assigned altitude for each segment.
Ref: RADIO, · 19

Tag: Non-towered
Question: What is the CTAF and how is it used?
Answer: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency — the frequency for self-announcing position and intentions at a non-towered airport. It may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, or the tower frequency when the tower is closed.
Ref: RADIO, · 20

Tag: Non-towered
Question: UNICOM vs MULTICOM?
Answer: UNICOM = a non-government air/ground station giving advisories and services (often 122.7–123.0). MULTICOM (122.9) = used where there is no UNICOM or tower.
Ref: RADIO, · 21

Tag: Safety
Question: Which ATC instructions must be read back verbatim, and why?
Answer: Runway hold-short instructions, runway crossings, and any clearance onto or across a runway — read back with your call sign. Verbatim readback is the primary defense against runway incursions.
Ref: RADIO, · 22

Tag: Phraseology
Question: What does "line up and wait" mean?
Answer: Taxi onto the departure runway and hold in position, ready for takeoff. It is NOT a takeoff clearance — wait for "cleared for takeoff."
Ref: RADIO, · 23

Tag: Emergency
Question: What is the emergency / guard frequency?
Answer: 121.5 MHz — the VHF international air distress "guard" frequency. Monitor it when able; use it for emergencies or when you cannot reach ATC.
Ref: RADIO, · 24