Radio Procedures – Aviation Radio Communication

Light Signals:

ATC or Aerodrome Reporting Officer (ARO) – callsign (Emerald) Safety Car advise aircraft via light signals if there is an issue with radio communications e.g. Frequency jam

Each light has a meaning for if airborne or on ground: Red; Green; White; Steady & Flashing

Only select ‘ident’ if asked by ATC

Select:

• Standby on ground at aerodromes that do not have ground radar,
• ON is without altitude mode and
• ALT is operated in most operations in CTA.

• Squawk code 7600 on transponder
• Continue with Radio Calls with Prefix “Transmitting Blind”
• Maintain visual lookout
• Listen out on ATIS or NAVAID frequency

In the event of an emergency 2 radio calls can be expected, either:

• mayday (repeated three times) for a distress call
• pan-pan (repeated three times for an urgency call

Distress signals (CAR 192):

• The distress signal shall be transmitted only when the aircraft occupants are threatened with grave and immediate danger and require immediate assistance.

Example:

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
[agency being called]
[aircraft identification]
[nature of distress condition]
[intention of the person in command]
[present position, altitude and heading]

Each frequency transfer will commence communication with ‘Acknowledge Mayday’.

Distress traffic have absolute communication priority until distress cancelled or transferral of frequency.

Imposed by Aircraft in Distress or ATC:

• ‘All Stations / [aircraft callsign to be silenced]
• Stop Transmitting
• Mayday’

Until:

• ‘Distress Traffic Ended’

Broadcast Mayday Mayday Mayday fuel:

• Fuel < Flight Fuel + Fixed Reserve
• (to nearest aerodrome)

This occurred after the investigation of 2 Boeing 737 (QF & VA) having to divert from AD to MIA due to fog and landing with low fuel.

Urgency signals (CAR 193):

• Used by an aircraft for the purpose of giving notice of difficulties which compel it to land without requiring immediate assistance:

‘Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan’
[agency being called]
[aircraft identification]
[nature of urgency problem]
[intention of person in command]
[present position, altitude and heading]
[any other useful information]

Each frequency transfer will commence communication with ‘Acknowledge Pan’