Skip to content

Pilot Quiz

Eight questions to check whether you are ready for your first flight with ATC.

Where should you be when you connect to the network?

  1. At the runway threshold, ready for takeoff
  2. At the gate or on the apron, stationary
  3. Anywhere, as long as the simulator is loaded

Always connect at the gate or on the apron. Suddenly appearing on the runway or in the air can create conflicts with other pilots.

What do you do before your first call at the aerodrome?

  1. Listen to the ATIS and note the information letter
  2. Call Tower straight away
  3. Ask the controller for the METAR in chat

The ATIS gives the runway in use, wind and altimeter setting. Reporting the letter on your first call shows the controller you have the latest data.

Who do you ask for your ATC clearance, if every position at the aerodrome is online?

  1. Tower
  2. Ground
  3. Delivery

Clearance comes from Delivery. Then come Ground (pushback and taxi) and Tower (takeoff). See Who to talk to.

At Guarulhos, only São Paulo Control is online. Who do you ask for taxi?

  1. Nobody: I taxi on UNICOM
  2. São Paulo Control
  3. I wait for Ground to connect

With top-down coverage, the online position covers the empty positions below it. Control acts as Ground, Tower and Delivery.

No controller is covering your aerodrome. What do you do?

  1. Tune UNICOM, 122.800, and announce my intentions
  2. Talk to nobody: without ATC there is no phraseology
  3. Call the nearest controller, even in another area

Without ATC, use UNICOM 122.800 and let other pilots know before taxiing, entering the runway, taking off and landing.

The controller said: "climb and maintain flight level ONE TWO ZERO". How do you reply?

  1. "Roger."
  2. "GOL ONE FOUR ONE NINE."
  3. "Climb and maintain flight level ONE TWO ZERO, GOL ONE FOUR ONE NINE."

Levels, headings, runways, frequencies and squawk codes are always read back: you repeat the instruction and end with your callsign.

The controller asked for something you can't do. What do you say?

  1. Nothing, and do whatever I can
  2. "Unable", and explain why if needed
  3. "Roger", so I don't block the frequency

Say unable. The controller needs to know so they can plan another solution. Staying silent is the worst option.

You don't feel confident talking on the radio yet. What is the alternative?

  1. Put /T/ in the flight plan remarks and operate by text
  2. Fly without a flight plan and talk to nobody
  3. Turn off the radio and follow the other aircraft

With /T/ you operate by text only; with /R/, you receive by voice and reply by text. The controller adapts.

Want to know what it's like on the other side? Check out the controller path.