SPC Radio Communications and ATC 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When making a position report at an uncontrolled airport, which information should a pilot broadcast FIRST?
- Airport name and current weather
- Aircraft type, registration, and position (Correct answer)
- Pilot's name and certificate number
- Fuel remaining and destination
Correct answer: Aircraft type, registration, and position
Position reports at uncontrolled airports should begin with aircraft type and tail number so other traffic can identify who is broadcasting.
Question 2: What does the term 'ATIS' stand for in aviation?
- Automatic Terminal Information Service (Correct answer)
- Air Traffic Identification System
- Aviation Terminal Instrument System
- Automated Traffic Intelligence Service
Correct answer: Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATIS stands for Automatic Terminal Information Service, which provides recorded weather and airport information updated hourly.
Question 3: A pilot receives the instruction 'Cleared to land, Runway 27, wind 250 at 12.' What should the pilot do immediately?
- Acknowledge and read back the clearance (Correct answer)
- Proceed without acknowledgment since clearance was given
- Request clarification on wind direction
- Contact ground control for confirmation
Correct answer: Acknowledge and read back the clearance
Pilots must always read back landing clearances to confirm receipt and understanding of the instruction.
Question 4: On which frequency should a pilot self-announce intentions at a non-towered airport that has a CTAF?
- 121.5 MHz
- 122.8 MHz or the published CTAF (Correct answer)
- 123.45 MHz
- 118.0 MHz
Correct answer: 122.8 MHz or the published CTAF
Pilots should use 122.8 MHz or the published CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for self-announcements at non-towered airports.
Question 5: What is the meaning of a solid red light signal from the control tower to an aircraft on the ground?
- Stop (Correct answer)
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
- Airport unsafe, do not use
- Return to starting point on the airport
Correct answer: Stop
A steady red light signal to an aircraft on the ground means STOP.
Question 6: When should a pilot squawk 7700?
- During a practice approach
- When experiencing an emergency (Correct answer)
- When transitioning Class C airspace
- When ATC requests radar identification
Correct answer: When experiencing an emergency
Squawk code 7700 is the universal emergency transponder code that alerts ATC to an aircraft in distress.
Question 7: What is meant by the phrase 'Wilco' in radio communications?
- I have received your message
- I have received your message and will comply (Correct answer)
- I am unable to comply with your request
- Say again your last transmission
Correct answer: I have received your message and will comply
'Wilco' is an abbreviation for 'Will Comply' and indicates the pilot has received and will carry out the instruction.
SPC Radio Communications and ATC 2
When making a position report at an uncontrolled airport, which information should a pilot broadcast FIRST?