PRACTICE 01
A first call
Transcript
- Pilot
Brookfield Ground, Lakeair two fife one, on the apron, request taxi for a local flight, information Bravo.
- ATC
Lakeair two fife one, taxi to holding point runway two fower via Alpha.
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Student Pilot Radio Calls: First Contact Practice
Build confidence with student pilot radio calls: identify yourself, say where you are and make a clear request before you transmit.
BRIEFING
Plan a first call
Student pilot radio calls are easier to organise when you plan the essential information first: the station, your call sign, your position and what you need. Listen before transmitting, then keep the message short enough for the controller to respond. Use the calls on this page as fictional practice, and follow your instructor and local procedures for your flight.
A request to taxi or depart is not permission to move. Listen to the reply, read back the relevant instruction and ask for a repeat if you are unsure. If you cannot comply, say so clearly. The speaking models include an initial call and a follow-up, so practise both sides of the exchange.
- Listen to each exchange and identify the request or instruction.
- Use the pictures and prompts to type short responses.
- Record both the initial message and a useful follow-up.
PRACTICE
Work through the exercise
0 done
PRACTICE 02
Not ready yet
Transcript
- ATC
Lakeair two fife one, report ready for departure.
- Pilot
Lakeair two fife one, wilco. We are still completing our checks.
PRACTICE 03
A message was unclear
Transcript
- ATC
Lakeair two fife one, contact Tower one one eight decimal six.
- Pilot
Ground, Lakeair two fife one, say again the frequency.
PRACTICE 04
Hold before crossing
Transcript
- ATC
Lakeair two fife one, hold position. Vehicle crossing ahead.
- Pilot
Holding position, Lakeair two fife one.
PRACTICE 05
Build a short call
Look at the picture when there is one, and type the missing words.
PRACTICE 06
Make your first call
The examiner asks
You are Lakeair two fife one on the apron with information Bravo. Request taxi for a local flight, then explain what you would do if the reply was unclear.
Your turn · speak for up to 60 seconds
1:00
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
Brookfield Ground, Lakeair two fife one, on the apron, information Bravo, request taxi for a local flight. I would listen carefully to the answer and write the route if I need to. If I do not understand the taxiway, I would say, “Lakeair two fife one, say again the taxi route.” I will wait for a clear instruction before I move.
Notes for Level 4
- Pronunciation
- Listen for a distinct call sign and the word “taxi”.
- Structure
- Simple sentences and an if clause organise the message.
- Vocabulary
- “Apron”, “taxi route” and “local flight” fit the task.
- Fluency
- The first call is short; the explanation uses simple links.
- Comprehension
- The response includes the position, request and unclear reply.
- Interactions
- It asks for the route again and waits for an instruction.
Brookfield Ground, Lakeair two fife one, on the apron, information Bravo, request taxi for a local flight. I would listen to the complete reply before responding, then read back the route and any holding instruction. If I missed the taxiway, I would ask, “Lakeair two fife one, say again the taxi route.” I would resolve the uncertainty before moving, rather than repeat a route I had only partly heard.
Notes for Level 5
- Pronunciation
- Listen for the separate words in “say again the taxi route”.
- Structure
- A conditional and a contrast explain the clarification.
- Vocabulary
- “Holding instruction” and “read back” are precise.
- Fluency
- The message and subsequent actions are linked in order.
- Comprehension
- It addresses the given call details and an unclear route.
- Interactions
- It requests the missing part and checks before moving.
Brookfield Ground, Lakeair two fife one, on the apron, information Bravo, request taxi for a local flight. I would give the controller time to respond, then read back the route and any holding instruction in a measured way. If a taxiway name was unclear, I would ask for that part again instead of filling the gap from expectation. Only once the instruction and my readback were clear would I continue with the next part of the flight.
Notes for Level 6
- Pronunciation
- Listen for a measured pace and clear separation of call sign and request.
- Structure
- Varied clauses distinguish the call, readback and condition.
- Vocabulary
- “Holding instruction” and “filling the gap” communicate the issue naturally.
- Fluency
- The response flows from initial call to clarification.
- Comprehension
- It covers every detail supplied in the scenario.
- Interactions
- It targets the missing information and checks mutual understanding.
PRACTICE 07
Report an obstruction
The examiner asks
You are the pilot in the picture. Describe what you can see, tell Ground your status and explain what you would ask next.
Your turn · speak for up to 60 seconds
1:00
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
There is a vehicle across the taxiway in front of us. We are stopped, and we cannot continue on the route. I would call Ground and say, “Lakeair two fife one, holding position, there is a vehicle ahead of us.” I would ask for instructions and wait for the controller to reply. We may have a small delay because the vehicle is in the way.
Notes for Level 4
- Pronunciation
- Listen for clear “vehicle” and “holding position”.
- Structure
- Short present-tense sentences explain the scene.
- Vocabulary
- “Taxiway”, “vehicle” and “instructions” cover the immediate need.
- Fluency
- The response states the observation before the request.
- Comprehension
- It identifies the obstruction and the aircraft’s status.
- Interactions
- It reports the problem and asks for instructions.
A service vehicle is blocking the taxiway directly ahead, so the aircraft is stationary. I would tell Ground, “Lakeair two fife one, holding position. A vehicle is blocking the taxiway ahead. Request further instructions.” I would monitor the vehicle and listen for the reply. Even if it moved away, I would check what the controller wants us to do before continuing, because the situation may have changed.
Notes for Level 5
- Pronunciation
- Listen for distinct stress in “blocking the taxiway”.
- Structure
- A reason clause and an even-if clause explain the plan.
- Vocabulary
- “Stationary” and “further instructions” are specific.
- Fluency
- The observation, radio call and follow-up form a coherent sequence.
- Comprehension
- The answer gives the status, obstruction and next request.
- Interactions
- It reports the situation and checks before resuming.
The taxi route is obstructed by a service vehicle, and the aircraft appears to be stopped. I would tell Ground that we are holding position, describe the vehicle’s location and ask for further instructions. I would avoid assuming that the original route is usable simply because the vehicle starts to move: its intentions and other traffic may not be clear to us. Once the controller replies, I would read back the relevant instruction and resolve any uncertainty before moving.
Notes for Level 6
- Pronunciation
- Listen for clear contrast between “holding” and “moving”.
- Structure
- A conditional and a reason qualify the next action.
- Vocabulary
- “Obstructed”, “intentions” and “relevant instruction” are precise.
- Fluency
- The reasoning develops naturally from the picture.
- Comprehension
- It covers the obstruction, current status and next step.
- Interactions
- It seeks an instruction and checks the response.
Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.
DEBRIEF
Your practice debrief
KEEP PRACTISING
More free ICAO English exercises
FAQ
Common questions
What should student pilot radio calls include on first contact?
Identify the station and yourself, state your position and make the request. Add the relevant information for your situation and follow your instructor and local procedures.
What is an example of a first radio call?
For this fictional exercise: “Brookfield Ground, Lakeair two fife one, on the apron, information Bravo, request taxi for a local flight.” The controller’s reply determines the next exchange.
What if I do not understand the controller?
Ask for the unclear part again, such as “say again the taxi route”. Avoid guessing; resolve the uncertainty before acting.
Does requesting taxi or reporting ready give me clearance?
No. A request or a report of readiness tells the controller what you need or your status. Listen for the controller’s response and any instruction.
Are these real exam questions?
No. These are original practice scenarios. Language-test formats vary by provider, and an instructor can help adapt your radio practice to local operations.
