RT formats library
Each format explains the purpose of a transmission, the information it must contain, the order, what to read back and the mistakes candidates make. Examples are illustrative — the required elements matter, not one fixed sentence.
- Radio check
Pre-flight and radio check
Confirm your radio transmits and receives clearly before you rely on it.
- Requesting departure information
Pre-flight and radio check
Obtain the runway, wind, QNH and other departure details when ATIS is not available.
- Start-up requestPremium
Start-up and clearance
Ask for approval to start engines where start-up is controlled.
- ATC route clearance read-backPremium
Start-up and clearance
Confirm a route clearance so that both you and ATC know exactly where you are cleared to fly.
- Taxi request and clearance
Taxi
Request taxi and confirm the clearance limit, route and runway.
- Frequency change
Taxi
Acknowledge a transfer and establish contact with the next unit.
- Conditional clearancePremium
Departure
Read back a clearance that only applies after a stated condition is met.
- Take-off clearance
Departure
Acknowledge a take-off clearance without ambiguity.
- Level instructions
En route
Read back a climb or descent so ATC can confirm the level you will fly.
- Position reportPremium
En route
Tell ATC where you are, when, at what level and where you will be next.
- SSR (transponder) instructions
En route
Understand and read back transponder instructions.
- Responding to traffic informationPremium
En route
Tell ATC whether you can see reported traffic.
- Circuit reportsPremium
Landing
Keep Tower informed of your position in the aerodrome traffic circuit.
- Landing clearance
Landing
Read back the landing clearance including the runway.
- Go-around
Approach
Respond immediately and unmistakably to a go-around instruction.
- Vacating the runway and taxiing inPremium
After landing
Clear the runway as instructed, change frequency and taxi to parking.
- MAYDAY distress message
Distress and urgency
Get immediate help when the aircraft is threatened by grave and/or imminent danger.
- PAN PAN urgency messagePremium
Distress and urgency
Report a safety concern that needs priority but not immediate assistance.
- What must be read back
Pre-flight and radio check
Know which parts of a clearance must be read back word for word.