ATPL VFR communications 091: practice questions and syllabus

What the syllabus covers

The topics of the EASA syllabus for this subject, with what each one lists.

1. 090 01Concepts

   associated terms, ATS abbreviations, Q-code groups used in radiotelephony, categories of messages.

2. 090 02General operating procedures

   spelling, numbers, time, transmission technique, standard VFR and IFR phraseology, callsigns, transfer of communication, test procedures, readback, radar phraseology, level changes, data link messages (CPDLC).

3. 090 03Relevant weather information

   aerodrome weather.

4. 090 04Communication failure

   action to take after a radio failure, in VFR and in IFR.

5. 090 05Distress and urgency

   signals, procedures, frequencies, emergency transponder codes.

6. 090 06VHF propagation and allocation of frequencies

   spectrum, bands, range.

7. 090 07Other communications

   meteorological observations, Morse code.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (AMC to Part-FCL)

The illustrated course

To understand before you answer: 12 chapters and 65 key points, 65 of them with a diagram or an illustration. The first chapter, « Definitions, services and abbreviations », is free to read.

1. Definitions, services and abbreviations
2. Radio waves and VHF propagation
3. Transmission technique, readability and alphabet
4. Stating numbers, times and frequencies
5. Callsigns and calls
6. Standard phrases
7. Readbacks and reports
8. Aerodrome phraseology
9. ATIS, VOLMET and weather information
10. Transponder, direction finding and altimeter settings
11. Priorities, distress and urgency
12. Radio communication failure

ATPL VFR communications course: contents and chapter 1

3 questions to practise

Taken from the site's English bank and checked one by one. Read the question, choose your answer, then open the explanation. Like every explanation on the site, they may contain errors.

1. Question 1 · 090 01 Concepts

   A message concerning aircraft parts and material urgently required is:

   • AAn urgency message.
   • BA flight regularity message.
   • CA flight security message.
   • DA flight safety message.
   Show the answer+

   Answer: B. A flight regularity message.

   In ICAO Annex 10 Volume II, messages about parts and materials urgently required for the operation of aircraft are flight regularity messages.

2. Question 2 · 090 02 general operating procedures

   How should a pilot terminate the read-back of an ATC clearance ?

   • AWith the word ""roger""
   • BWith the ATC ground station call sign
   • CWith the word ""wilco""
   • DWith his own aircraft call sign
   Show the answer+

   Answer: D. With his own aircraft call sign

   A read-back of a clearance or instruction is terminated with the aircraft's own call sign, so that the controller knows which aircraft read it back.

3. Question 3 · 090 05 Distress and urgency

   The frequency used for the first transmission of a ""MAYDAY"" call shall be:

   • AThe distress frequency 121.5 MHz
   • BAny frequency at pilot's discretion
   • CAny other international emergency frequency
   • DThe frequency currently in use
   Show the answer+

   Answer: D. The frequency currently in use

   The first distress call is made on the air-ground frequency in use at the time, where the unit already in contact can respond fastest. 121.5 MHz is used if that fails or no frequency is in use (ICAO Annex 10 Volume II).

8 more free questions, no sign-up: Free ATPL VFR communications questions

How to approach this subject

Learn the ICAO alphabet, how to transmit numbers (3,500 is said "three thousand five hundred") and time, abbreviated callsigns (XY-ABC becomes X-BC), the Q codes (QDR: magnetic bearing from the station; QDM: magnetic heading to the station in zero wind) and cloud cover in oktas (1 to 2 few, 3 to 4 scattered, 5 to 7 broken, 8 overcast).

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