What can be expected.
You'll get a fictional map with a route taking you from taxi to land with tasks to perform on the way. During the 'trip' you will change frequencies along the way - these are labelled A to F in the instructions and match the dial on the equipment you will be using.
You are not allowed to take notes in with you. You are allowed paper and pen. Exam nerves can make your mind go blank so know the format of all the calls - I wrote them all down as soon as I sat down for the exam. Pay particular attention to the PANPAN and MAYDAY calls as it is unacceptable to get either of these wrong.
The order may vary but this is a list of calls I had to make during my exam.
- Tuned and obtained ATIS (you may have to ask for 'radio check and airfield information' if at a RADIO or INFORMATION airfield)
- Changed to ground Requested taxi
- Advised ready for departure, read back hold and departure instructions
- Changed to tower, read back a 'line up after' instruction, clear for take off and turn out instructions
- Changed to radar, called clear of zone, requested FIS
- Requested / changed to enroute LARS, requested FIS and MATZ penetration
- Red light on equipment flashed, called in a PANPAN (rough engine), cancelled PANPAN after decent
- Red light on equipment flashed, relayed a MAYDAY message (forced landing), cancelled MAYDAY
- Requested / changed frequency to enroute airfield, class A Special VFR transit call with 2 reporting points
- Requested / changed to destination airfield - overhead join with all calls made to final and then, after aircraft crashed, go around call and diversion to alternate
- Requested / changed to diversion (class D) airfield - ATIS obtained, call to Approach with diversion mentioned. Held outside airspace, read back specific entry instructions.
- Changed to tower, held on base, called finals
- Changed for ground and taxi
Stay calm! You are expected to 'fly' route so you have plenty of time to write your next call down and even say it to yourself before you press the talk button again.
The MAYDAY message relay - be ready with your pen and always wait a moment to see if there is a response from the ground station before you jump in. If you have already noted down the format of the MAYDAY call then you can write the information next to each bit which makes it easy to note and to relay. Be ready to write down what the ground station and the MAYDAY aircraft says as you might have to relay messages both ways.
Stay calm! Speak clearly and slowly, don't rush your calls.
If you make a mistake don't let it go, say 'correction' and make the right call.
I hope this helps, good luck - remember fear and panic are the enemy of good RT.