Radiotelephony is an essential part of Aviation English. If you are a beginner in aviation, you can learn basic radiotelephony with our free course. Read the articles and then try the exercises.
The use of similar call signs by aircraft operating in the same area and especially on the same RTF frequency often causes potential and actual flight safety incidents. This hazard is usually referred to as “call sign confusion”.
Aviation English Asia Ltd encourages explicit training to develop listening skills and habits. One skill that is practiced in classes is active listening. Active listening allows a method of mitigating safety risks in air-ground and ground-ground communication. It requires that the listener fully concentrate, understand, respond and then remember what is being said. Some active listening training tips are provided below.
Aviation English Asia Ltd offer classes throughout the week suitable for pilots and ATCOs. For more information visit http://aviationenglish.com/english-for-pilots-and-atcos/aviation-english-for-pilots-and-atcos to see the range of courses available.
This article explains the cause and effects of simultaneous transmissions, and some potential solutions to limit their impact.
Simultaneous radio transmissions (SiT) are described as:
“Situations arise when two or more radio transmissions occur, simultaneously, on the same frequency. In this context ‘simultaneous’ is defined as two or more transmissions that overlap in such a way that the controller is not aware that more than one transmission has occurred leading to a potential safety hazard.”
(Air Traffic Management (ATM) system operational and technical requirements, EUROCAE, 2009-02)
Simultaneous transmission by two stations result in one of the two (or both) transmissions being blocked and unheard by the other stations (or being heard as a buzzing sound or as a squeal). With the steady growth of air traffic worldwide there is a corresponding increase in the incidence of blocked or simultaneous transmissions. These frequently result in dangerous situations developing, especially when they go undetected.
As signals overlap, the system is naturally making a selection on the type of overlap, the relative strength of the signals, the frequency variation, distance between transmitters and receivers, use of one or multiple ground receivers.
Several scenarios have been identified as related to the occurrence of simultaneous radio transmissions:
Scenario 1: Two pilots transmitting simultaneously
Scenario 2: Simultaneous transmissions by the ATCO and a pilot (also known as “stepped on transmission”):
Scenario 3: “Multi-receiver Blindspot” is another source of loss of signal (or transmission) which could also be considered in the context of Undetected Simultaneous Transmissions. It corresponds to wide range radio field operations used in difficult terrain leading to lack of reception for some pilots and to the signal being lost. Either of these scenarios or any combination of them could result in the occurrence of Undetected Simultaneous Transmission (USiT).
Some of the effects of the blocked transmissions might include:
The following parameters or factors are linked to the phenomenon, either as contributors or as a ‘inherent’ system characteristics:
Systemic solutions:
As an ATCO:
As a pilot:
As an English as a second language speaker:
Radiotelephony activities are included in the Aviation English Asia Ltd's ICAO Aviation English for Commercial Pilots / ATCOs course. For more information email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
#aviationenglish #radiotelephony #airgroundcommunications #bestpractice #simultaneoustransmissions
Adapted from an article on Skybrary
Do you know what to say before keying the mic? The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Safety Tip: Four Ws of Communication will help jog your mind. Whether you’re flying at a nontowered field or communicating with ATC, concise communication improves safety.
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