Listening comprehension

Notice how the speaker doesn't pause between her sentences.  Listen again and identify the words missing from the transcript below.

In any situation the pilot _________ in control of the aircraft. If ever a pilot _________ given an instruction by ATC that they cannot comply with _________ try and _________ it.  Say something and (you know) either explain what you _________ need from us or just say (hey) I have something else going on, this _________ what I'm doing.  And if a pilot _________ declare an emergency the controller can also declare an emergency for a pilot and treat that aircraft with priority handling. The communication piece, obviously the more information that you can give _________ the more we're able to _________ for you but number one - fly the airplane. That _________ something that a controller can't _________ for a pilot.

Language focus

Stating inability (reluctance, unwillingness, refusal) to perform a requested action is an important communicative function in the AEROSTA Framework / ICAO 9835 descriptors.

For pilots:

• Tell us an example of an instruction a controller asked you to perform which you were unable to comply with.
• How did you say it? What extra information did you include? How did the controller help you?

For ATCOs:

• Tell us an example of an instruction you gave to a pilot which they were unable to comply with.
• How did they say it? What extra information was included? What additional help did you offer?

For more radiotelephony listening comprehension activities