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Radio Failure Procedure: English Communication Practice

Practise radio failure procedure communication by identifying what can be heard, transmitted and confirmed. Listen to realistic exchanges and repair misunderstandings.

Start the practice
BRIEFING

Describe what has failed and what is known

Radio failure procedure communication begins with a clear distinction: a crew may be able to hear but not transmit, transmit but not hear, or have another communication difficulty. In the exercises, identify the ability described rather than assuming every missed reply means total radio failure.

When communication is available again, state what you heard or missed and ask for any essential detail to be repeated. Actual procedures depend on the circumstances and the rules applicable to the flight; consult current published and aircraft procedures rather than using this exercise as a checklist.

  1. Inspect the pictures and choose only what is visible.
  2. Listen for which direction of communication worked.
  3. Check the answers and repeat the clarification requests aloud.
PRACTICE

Work through the exercise

0 done

PRACTICE 01

Recognise the communication problem

Use only the information given. An image can show damage without proving its effect on the radio.

Q1 Look at the picture. What is visibly disconnected?
An aviation headset plug lies disconnected beside its socket on a flight deck.
Q2 Look at the picture. What visible damage could be reported?
The outer covering of a controller headset cable is visibly damaged near the connector.
Q3 Look at the picture. Where is the headset microphone?
A pilot wears a headset with its microphone boom raised away from the mouth.
Q4 Look at the picture. What can you see on the portable radio display?
A handheld aviation radio has an unlit blank display on a flight-deck shelf.
Q5 Look at the picture. What part appears bent?
A small external antenna on an aircraft fuselage is visibly bent.
Q6 The pilot says: “We can hear you, but you cannot hear us.” What ability is described?
Q7 A crew can transmit, but they cannot hear ATC. Which description fits?
Q8 A controller receives no reply to a call. What is supported by that fact alone?
Q9 After contact is restored, which report is most useful?
Q10 A pilot did not hear the runway in a clearance. What should the pilot say after contact is restored?
Q11 A crew cannot establish two-way contact and is unsure what to do next. What should guide the crew?
Q12 After reception returns, ATC asks whether the crew heard an earlier instruction. They did not. What is clearest?

PRACTICE 02

No reply to a call

Q1 What does the controller ask Coastal to do?
Q2 What does Coastal report?

Transcript
ATC

Skyline fife two one, Riverton Approach, how do you read?

ATC

Coastal two six, Riverton Approach. Try contacting Skyline fife two one and relay.

Pilot

Riverton Approach, Coastal two six. Unable to contact Skyline fife two one.

PRACTICE 03

Contact restored

Q1 What could the crew do during the problem?
Q2 What does the controller ask next?

Transcript
Pilot

Control, Nordair two one. We could hear your calls but could not transmit. Radio now working.

ATC

Nordair two one, roger. Confirm your present level.

PRACTICE 04

A message repeated

Q1 Why does the controller ask the pilot to repeat?
Q2 What is the crew’s stated intention?

Transcript
ATC

Lakeair six two, your last transmission was unreadable. Say again.

Pilot

Lakeair six two. We are returning to Riverton because of a radio problem.

ATC

Lakeair six two, roger. Returning to Riverton.

PRACTICE 05

A missing clearance detail

Q1 Which detail was missed?
Q2 What does the controller repeat?

Transcript
ATC

Fastair tree one eight, runway two four, cleared to land.

Pilot

Fastair tree one eight, we did not hear the runway. Say again.

ATC

Fastair tree one eight, runway two four, cleared to land.

Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.

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FAQ

Common questions

What is the radio failure procedure for my flight?

The applicable steps depend on the flight and its circumstances. Consult the current published procedures and the aircraft’s approved procedures. This page practises the English needed to describe and clarify a communication problem.

What should I say when radio contact returns?

State what happened in each direction, for example: “We could hear your calls but could not transmit; radio now working.” Ask for any missed instruction to be repeated.

Does no reply prove an aircraft has lost its radio?

No. A missed reply alone does not establish the cause. The relay exercise shows an unsuccessful attempt to contact an aircraft without assuming why.

What if I can hear ATC but cannot transmit?

Describe that distinction when communication is available and follow the procedures applicable to the flight. Do not assume that the controller received a message that was not heard.

Which radio-failure code or route should I use?

Check the current procedures that apply to your flight and aircraft. This language exercise does not prescribe a code or a route.