AVOP Radiotelephone Communications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must a vehicle operator include when initially contacting the tower?
- Vehicle make and model
- Call sign, location, and request or intention (Correct answer)
- Driver's name and AVOP number
- Destination and ETA only
Correct answer: Call sign, location, and request or intention
Include your vehicle call sign, current location, and your request.
Initial contact must include: (1) vehicle call sign, (2) current location, and (3) request or intention. Example: 'Tower, Operations 5 at Taxiway Alpha, requesting to cross Runway 27.' This allows ATC to quickly identify and respond.
Question 2: What does 'read back' mean in radio communications?
- Read the airport manual
- Repeat the controller's instruction to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Read the NOTAM board
- Ask the controller to repeat
Correct answer: Repeat the controller's instruction to confirm understanding
Read-back requires repeating the ATC instruction verbatim to confirm correct understanding.
Read-back is a critical safety practice where the operator repeats ATC instructions to confirm receipt and understanding. Mandatory read-back items include runway crossing clearances and hold short instructions. If incorrect, ATC will correct immediately.
Question 3: What does 'roger' mean in radio communication?
- Yes, I agree
- I will comply
- I have received and understood your message (Correct answer)
- Please repeat
Correct answer: I have received and understood your message
'Roger' means received and understood. It does NOT mean agreement or compliance.
'Roger' means 'I have received all of your last transmission.' It is acknowledgment only—not agreement or compliance. For instructions requiring compliance, a full read-back is required instead of 'roger.' Using it inappropriately can lead to dangerous miscommunications.
Question 4: What is the correct phraseology when you cannot comply with an ATC instruction?
- Negative
- Unable (Correct answer)
- No can do
- Stand by
Correct answer: Unable
'Unable' is standard phraseology for inability to comply, followed by the reason.
'Unable' is the standard term indicating you cannot comply, followed by a brief reason. 'Negative' means 'no' or 'that is not correct' and is used differently. Proper phraseology prevents confusion and maintains clear communication.
Question 5: On which frequency do most vehicle operations in the movement area occur?
- Tower frequency
- Ground control frequency (Correct answer)
- UNICOM
- Emergency 121.5
Correct answer: Ground control frequency
Ground control manages vehicle operations on taxiways and the movement area.
Vehicle operations typically occur on ground control frequency, which manages taxiway and non-runway movement area traffic. Vehicles may switch to tower frequency for runway crossings. Specific frequencies are published in airport documents and programmed into vehicle radios.
Question 6: What should you do during total radio failure in the movement area?
- Continue at reduced speed
- Stop immediately, activate all lights, and watch for light gun signals (Correct answer)
- Exit via shortest route
- Call ATC on cell phone
Correct answer: Stop immediately, activate all lights, and watch for light gun signals
Stop, maximize visibility with lights, and watch the tower for light gun signals.
During radio failure: stop immediately, activate all lights, and watch for light gun signals from the tower. Standard signals include steady green (proceed), steady red (stop), flashing red (clear area), flashing white (return to start), alternating red/green (extreme caution). Also try contacting operations via cell phone as backup.
AVOP Radiotelephone Communications 2
What information must a vehicle operator include when initially contacting the tower?