Learn and practise your Pilot / PPL Radiotelephony with G-UDRT. We provide hours of original content developed by Helena Hughes, an experienced air traffic controller. With 38 learning sessions and 20 practise flights split over 7 modules, we have the content you need to fully master the subject.
For student pilots, the modules mirror the typical progression through the syllabus. We start by teaching the basics, through the first solo and onto qualifying cross country flights.
Licensed pilots wanting to enhance their RT can use the later modules to simulate long flights containing the full breadth of PPL radiotelephony covered.
BASICS OF RADIOTELEPHONY
Just beginning your RT learning journey? Start here. We provide eight learning and two short practise sessions to embed the principles of good PPL radiotelephony.
Understand the features and benefits provided by the app
Appreciate the principles required for high quality pilot radiotelephony
Learn and practise the pronunciation of letters and numbers in aviation
Understand the call signs used in RT and how they are abbreviated
Know what calls must be read back and why
Understand the use of UTC in RT and how time is pronounced
Learn how professionals use shorthand to quickly record the RT they hear
The differences between clearances, instructions and information
Standard phraseology
Four sessions that allow you to learn and then practise the basic phraseology required by the VFR pilot.
Examples of how correct phraseology improves efficiency and safety
An introduction to some common RT phrases and how to use them
Gain an appreciation of some less common, but important phrases
Aerodrome Radiotelephony
Twelve learning and practise sessions that enable you to master the PPL radiotelephony required to operate on the ground at ATC, FIS, A/G and unattended aerodromes.
An introduction to the RT required to operate on the ground at an aerodrome
The differences between ATC, FIS, A/G and unattended aerodromes
Master the RT required to operate at various ATC aerodromes
Learn and practise the specific RT required at FIS aerodromes
Master the RT used at aerodromes offering an air/ground radio service
Learn and practise the RT used at both types of unattended aerodrome
Understand the complex taxi instructions you may receive at ATC aerodromes
Dealing with the unexpected
Two learning sessions and one practise flight which allow you to master the RT required for when things don’t go as planned. This includes emergency and urgency situations, procedures to follow if your radio fails and the RT required when lost.
Understand how to summon help with Mayday and Pan Pan calls
Know how to seek help for other people who are in danger
Learn correct use of the radio for if you ever become lost in flight
Understand the procedures to follow if your radio fails
Appreciate the different squawk codes to be used in specific circumstances
Understand the correct phraseology to use if lost whilst taxiing
CIRCUIT RADIOTELEPHONY
Five learning and four practise sessions that teach the RT required to fly circuits at ATC, FIS, A/G and unattended aerodromes.
Understand the basics of a flying a circuit
Understand how to book out, and the details you should pass
An in-depth introduction to common circuit RT
Learn the RT associated with go-arounds and similar occurrences
Learn the RT associated with orbits, extending downwind, etc
An introduction to traffic reports in the circuit
Learn and practise the RT required to fly circuits at ATC aerodromes
Master the RT required in the circuit at FIS aerodromes
Practise the RT to operate in the circuit with an air/ground radio service
Understand the circuit RT at an unattended aerodrome
A recap of the emergency and urgency RT applicable to the circuit
Departure and arrival RT
With 5 learning sessions and a further 5 practise sessions, we take an in-depth look at the PPL radiotelephony required to depart from and return to an aerodrome. This includes ATC aerodromes with and without controlled airspace, as well as FIS, A/G and unattended aerodromes.
Learn the calls to make as you depart from an aerodrome
Learn how to request a join and how to respond to “Pass your message”
A look at the RT required to join a circuit, including overhead joins
Learn the RT used when changing frequency to another ground station
Review how departure and arrival RT varies in controlled airspace
Learn and practise for departures and arrivals at ATC aerodromes
Master departures and arrivals at FIS aerodromes
Learn and practise for departures and arrivals at A/G aerodromes
Master departures and arrivals at unattended aerodromes
Cross country RT – UK FIS
The cross country module is broken down into nine learning sessions. These teach you all you need to know about the PPL radiotelephony applicable to cross country flying. It includes detailed sessions on flight outside controlled airspace (OCAS) and also transiting the different airspace structures commonly found in the UK. A single, large practise session simulates several realistic flights crossing that airspace.
The UK Flight Information Services for when outside controlled airspace
The Lower Airspace Radar Service and what it provides to a pilot
A detailed look at the services available outside controlled airspace
Advice on which service a pilot may wish to choose
Introduction to agreements with a controller OCAS
The traffic information provided outside of controlled airspace
A detailed look at the RT required to obtain a service OCAS
A review of the RT used when leaving a service
Cross country RT – Transiting controlled airspace
An introduction to CAS, and the implications of an infringement
Learn how to request a transit and understand the response
Witness examples of a delayed transit and the options open to the pilot
Learn how a pilot can request a specific routing through CAS
Understand how a pilot in transit can request a change to the routing
Understand clearance limits and how to adhere to them
Learn how with ATC, you may be transferred to the tower for part of a transit
Learn the visibility rules and the RT associated with poor visibility
Understand the RT for a transit that dips in and out of CAS
Cross country RT – Additional considerations
Understand regulations and appropriate RT regarding en-route ATZs
Advice relating to the avoidance of vertical infringements
Operating through, over or near to military air traffic zones
Understand the RT in relation to danger areas, including DACS & DAAIS
Transponder mandatory zones and the RT relating to them
Understand the use of “listening squawks” and associated RT
A look at common and more formal position reporting
Learn the RT required to receive a bearing using VHF Direction Finding
A look at flight plans and how to activate them via the radio
Understand how to receive weather information
Customise content with our transcript editor
Customise content with our transcript editor
Want to change an aerodrome name, frequency, visual reporting point reference or amend a transmission so that it mirrors a local procedure? Well G-UDRT allows you to do just that. In fact you can edit almost anything within a practise session.
With our find and replace functionality, you can quickly change all occurrences of a word or phrase. Else use the fully featured call editor to update any or all of the elements in a flight.
There is no need to do this, but the capability is there if you need it.
All our content is based on pilot radiotelephony in CAA documents such as CAP413, CAP797, the Skyway Code and many more. It also reflects the 30 years experience our author has as a senior Air Traffic Controller, pilot and instructor.