aircraft operators radio certificate -...

Aircraft Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency

327 Flight AAFCDesigned by PLTOFF(AAFC) Stewart Hignett

Amended for 327FLT by SQNLDR(AAFC) Bill Gleeson-Barker, OCT10


Objectives

Understand legislation surrounding AROCPAcknowledge responsibilities of an AROCP holderIdentify components of a radiotelephoneCarry out the process of setting up a radioIdentify difference between radio waves & the limitations of VHF radio.Become familiar with radio terms, phraseology, the phonetic alphabet & transmitting numbers.


Objectives

Display knowledge of standard radio procedures & Emergency radio proceduresDisplay knowledge of different types of distress calls, the priority given to those calls & the procedure for ‘loss of communication’.Acknowledge the role of accessory items such as ATIS, AWIB, ELT & various light signals located on the aerodrome.


What is an AROCP & what are the associated privileges?

An aircraft radio operator’s certificate of proficiency (AROCP) allows the accredited person to communicate on the radio with aircraft and other related vehicles in both standard and emergency situations.


What requirements must be met to obtain an AROCP?

The applicant must possess knowledge of the English language that is sufficient to enable him/her to communicate on the radio.The applicant must complete the appropriate training, pass the written & oral exam and then apply in writing to CASA for the issue of an AROCP.


Responsibilities of a Radiotelephone Operator

The radiotelephone operator MUST use accepted terms & radio phrases. Where circumstances warrant, and no phraseology is available, clear and concise language MUST be used.

Radio communications must be carried out ONLY by those persons with a purpose to do so. Idle chit chat is not to occur on the radio!


The Components of a gliders Radiotelephone System.

Transmit Selector Switch The Speaker/PhonesSelectorThe Frequency DisplayWindowThe ON/OFF Volume Control Squelch Control


Setting up a Radio

1. On/Off Volume Control2. Squelch Control3. Select hand held microphone OR headset4. Adjust microphone to MAXIMISE clarity of

transmission.


Radio Waves, Wave Transmissions & Reception.

Radio waves are electro magnetic wavesVery High Frequency is the name allocated to the ‘band’ of radio frequencies between 30 – 300 MHz.VHF is only able to travel in straight lines from the transmitter. The greatest disadvantage of this frequency (VHF) is that reception is often altered by the curvature of the land/earth.


Recalling that VHFtransmissions are direct,straight-line (line of sight)beams, theireffectiveness thereforedepends upon thedistance between stationsand the presence of anyother obstructions such asbuildings or mountains.

Example of VHF Coverage when installed in aircraft…

Below 5,000ft

Coverage 60nm

5,000 to 10,000ft

Coverage 90nm


THUNDERSTORMS

Electrical Equipment

Power Attenuations

Mountains


Radio PhrasesPhonetic AlphabetPronunciation of NumbersTransmitting Time


We will now examine each of these

&the set revision

exercises.


Radio Phrases – 17 Workbook

Radio Phrases are used in an attempt to reduce and avoid confusion amongst pilots and aircraft radio operators.

Communication on the radio must be kept brief in order to minimise possible confusion and congestion on the radio.

General chatter IS NOT acceptable or professional!


Phonetic AlphabetPage 17 Workbook

The phonetic alphabet is used to ensure uniform methods of communication.

The ‘phonetic alphabet’ is used on the radio to identify aircraft and vehicles on the aerodrome’.


Pronunciation of NumbersPage 19 of Workbook

Once again in order to ensure instructions are received clearly and interpreted appropriately there are rules regarding the pronunciation of numbers when communicating on the radio.


Transmitting TIMEPage 22- 24 of Workbook

Aviation uses Universal Co-ordinated Time

This is used due to the frequent movement of aircraft through various time zones.

The 24 hour clock is used in aviation to assist in calculating UTC.


Standard RADIOPROCEDURES forcommunicating with …

Ground ControlControl TowerAny other Air Traffic Agency

It is the radio operatorsresponsibility to makehim/herself aware of thestandard radio proceduresrelevant to their position &aerodrome.

Information may be foundin the CAR’s & AIP’s.


The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)provides ongoing information about aerodromeconditions at specific airports. The ATIS includes informationsuch as:

Runway in useWind direction & strengthCloud base & visibilityAerodrome QNHAerodrome Temperature.


The Aerodrome Weather InformationBroadcast (AWIB) provides users withinformation on aerodrome weatheronly.


A pilot may declare an emergency for numerous types of problems;

Structural failure or damage to the aircraftFire If the pilot finds him/herself in instrument conditions (IFR) and is only endorsed to fly in visual conditions (VFR).If the aircraft requires to make a forced landingIf the pilot or a passenger requires urgent medical attention.If the pilot is unsure of aircrafts position (i.e. they’re LOST)


When initiating an emergency radio call you need to beprepared to provide the following information …

Who you are (your name & aircraft call sign).What you are (aircraft type).Where you are (altitude, flight level, approx distance from aerodrome, airspeed etc).Nature of Emergency – what has happened?Intentions of the pilot in command.Number of people/passengers on board.


MAYDAY repeated 3 times Distress call

PAN repeated 3 times Urgent call

SECURITY repeated 3 times Security call


PRIORITY of CALLSNaturally any aircraft making an emergency radio call is given priority over all other aircraft/ground operations.

If a distress call is received radio operators may initiate or impose radio silence on all other stations. This will be heard as …

‘STOP transmitting – MAYDAY’or

‘ALL stations, STOP transmitting – MAYDAY’


VHF radio transmitters are capable of sendinga signal simultaneously on emergency distressfrequency 121.5 & 243 MHZ.


LOSS of RADIOOften for one reason or another, you may lose the ability to communicate via radio! If radio failure occurs the operator needs to make every attempt to locate the problem and rectify it ASAP.

Transmitting BLINDWhen the radio operator is able to transmit BUT not receive the operator may commence ‘Transmitting Blind’. All radio calls when transmitting blind must begin with the pre-fix…

‘Transmitting Blind’


Check the radio is turned on!Check that the volume control is correctly set.Check the squelch control and adjust as needed.Check that the frequency selected is correct & appropriate.If your radio has an avionics master switch check that it is ON.Check that the transmitter selector switch is set to VHF.Check the headset & microphone selector switch.Check the headset volume selector.If using a hand held microphone check that it is plugged in.Check the radio circuit breakers & associated fuses.


Legislation surrounding AROCPResponsibility of an AROCP holderYour radio – how to set it up, how to use it.Radio phrases, the phonetic alphabet & how to transmit using numbers/time.Standard & Emergency Radio Procedures.

aircraft operators radio certificate -...

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