Example Communications
EGTB Booker

The following examples illustrate the typical conversations that might happen between a pilot and air traffic services at Booker Airfield, also known as Wycombe Air Park (EGTB). Note that these conversations are purely to illustrate typical radio telephony terminology for flight simulation purposes - they do not reflect real-world communications.

Departure Airport - Ground

The following transmissions illustrate the typical conversation that might happen between the pilot and air traffic control from the point of starting the engines, to taxiing out to the runway. None of this is set in stone - it's an example to give you an idea of the pattern of instructions, information, responses, and typical phraseology used.

• pilot starts engine, and prepares to taxi

• Pilot: Booker Ground, Cessna G-ABCD radio check, and taxi

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, reading you 5 by 5, taxi to holding point runway 24 via alpha

• Pilot: Taxi to holding point runway 24 via alpha, Cessna G-CD

• pilot taxis to holding point, following airfield chart

• Pilot: Booker Ground, Cessna G-CD at holding point runway 24

• ATC: Cessna G-CD please contact Booker Tower on 123 decimal 50

• Pilot: Contacting Booker Tower on 123 decimal 50, Cessna G-CD

Departure Airport - Tower

The following transmissions illustrate a typical conversation that might happen between a pilot and air traffic control from the point of being handed over to tower by ground for departure. Note that the term "take-off" is not used until the final instruction to the pilot - until then the term "departure" is used by both parties.

• Pilot: Booker Tower, Cessna G-ABCD holding runway 24 for departure to the south west

• ATC: Cessna G-ABCD, continue holding until further instruction

• Pilot: Continue holding until further instruction, Cessna G-ABCD

• time passes

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, line up and wait, runway 24

• Pilot: Line up and wait, runway 24, Cessna G-CD.

• time passes

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, cleared for immediate take-off, runway 24 for south west departure.

• Pilot: Cleared for immediate take-off, runway 24 for south west departure.

• time passes, as you climb out

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, you are leaving my airspace, please tune Unicom, 122 decimal 80, goodbye

• Pilot: Leaving your airspace, tune 122 decimal 80, Cessna G-CD, goodbye.

It is worth noting that while waiting for line-up or take-off clearance, Tower will typically inform the pilot of the current meteorological conditions (METAR). It is sufficient to respond to informational transmissions with "Copy, {Callsign}", rather than repeat them back verbatim. Only instructions need to be repeated back.

Destination Airport - Tower

The following transmissions illustrate the typical conversation that might happen between a pilot and air traffic control from the point a pilot approaches an airport to either land, or do a touch and go. Notice the pilot initiates the conversation, stating their identity, location, situation, and intentions. Also notice that when operating at a controlled airfield, the pilot does not announce the steps of their circuit to other aircraft - for that, see the section on Unicom communication.

• Pilot: Booker Tower, Cessna G-ABCD with you at 1500ft, heading 30 degrees, 20 miles to your south west, for full stop landing.

• Tower: Cessna G-ABCD we have you on radar, enter left circuit runway 24.

• Pilot: Enter left circuit, runway 24, G-ABCD

• time passes, during which aircraft navigates into circuit

• as aircraft passes abeam runway apron on downwind leg...

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, cleared to land runway 24. Wind is 220 at 5 knots. QNH is 2992. On landing, exit left.

• Pilot: Cleared to land runway 24, copy weather, on landing exit left, Cessna G-CD

• aircraft lands, and is holding at taxi-way

• Pilot: Cessa G-CD, clear of runway 24, holding at exit, runway 24

• ATC: Cessna G-CD, contact ground on 123 decimal 10

• Pilot: Contacting ground, 123 decimal 10, Cessna G-CD

It's worth noting that ATC may issue specific instructions to approaching aircraft in order to aid in separation from other aircraft in the airspace, or to give priority to specific aircraft.

Destination Airport - Ground

The following transmissions illustrate the typical conversation that might happen between a pilot and air traffic control from the point of being handed to ground by the tower on arrival at an airport. Typically the pilot will stop at the first holding point after exiting the runway before taking further instruction from ground for routing to a suitable parking spot.

• Pilot: Booker Ground, Cessna G-ABCD, at exit runway 24, requesting taxi for parking

• ATC: Cessna G-ABCD, cleared to taxi via grass to general aviation parking

• Pilot: cleared to taxi via grass to general aviation parking, Cessna G-ABCD

• pilot refers to airfield chart, and follows taxi route to parking, and stops the aircraft

• Pilot: Booker Ground, Cessna G-ABCD is on the blocks

• ATC: Cessna G-ABCD, welcome to Booker... and further welcome information