Aircraft Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency 327 Flight AAFC Designed by PLTOFF(AAFC) Stewart Hignett Amended for 327FLT by SQNLDR(AAFC) Bill Gleeson-Barker, OCT10
Objectives Understand legislation surrounding AROCP Acknowledge responsibilities of an AROCP holder Identify components of a radiotelephone Carry out the process of setting up a radio Identify 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 procedures Display 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/Phones Selector The Frequency Display Window The ON/OFF Volume Control Squelch Control
Setting up a Radio 1. On/Off Volume Control 2. Squelch Control 3. Select hand held microphone OR headset 4. Adjust microphone to MAXIMISE clarity of transmission.
Radio Waves, Wave Transmissions & Reception. Radio waves are electro magnetic waves Very 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 VHF transmissions are direct, straight-line (line of sight) beams, their effectiveness therefore depends upon the distance between stations and the presence of any other obstructions such as buildings or mountains. Example of VHF Coverage when installed in aircraft Below 5,000ft Coverage 60nm 5,000 to 10,000ft Coverage 90nm
Mountains Electrical Equipment Power Attenuations THUNDERSTORMS
Radio Phrases Phonetic Alphabet Pronunciation of Numbers Transmitting Time
We will now examine each of these & the set revision exercises.
Radio Phrases Page 15 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 Alphabet Page 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 Numbers Page 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 TIME Page 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 RADIO PROCEDURES for communicating with Ground Control Control Tower Any other Air Traffic Agency It is the radio operators responsibility to make him/herself aware of the standard radio procedures relevant to their position & aerodrome. Information may be found in the CAR s & AIP s.
The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) provides ongoing information about aerodrome conditions at specific airports. The ATIS includes information such as: Runway in use Wind direction & strength Cloud base & visibility Aerodrome QNH Aerodrome Temperature.
The Aerodrome Weather Information Broadcast (AWIB) provides users with information on aerodrome weather only.
A pilot may declare an emergency for numerous types of problems; Structural failure or damage to the aircraft Fire 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 landing If 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 be prepared 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 CALLS Naturally 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 sending a signal simultaneously on emergency distress frequency 121.5 & 243 MHZ.
LOSS of RADIO Often 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 BLIND When 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 AROCP Responsibility of an AROCP holder Your 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.