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AviationCommunications, light signals and runway lighting
In the airplane, you tune the right frequencies, talk to ATC with standard phraseology, follow the instructions and know the light signals and the runway lighting if the radio fails. It is Task A of Area III, Airport and Seaplane Base Operations, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Select and activate the right frequencies.
- Transmit with the standard phraseology and procedures of the Aeronautical Information Manual and the Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- Acknowledge radio calls and comply with ATC instructions, or as the examiner directs.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Any action, or lack of action, that makes the examiner step in to keep the flight safe is unsatisfactory.
- If you do not use sound aeronautical decision-making, including single-pilot resource management, the examiner marks the task as failed.
To pass
- The right frequencies, standard phraseology and every ATC instruction acknowledged and followed.
- Know how to find the radio frequencies, radio procedures and ATC phraseology, the ATC light signals, the transponder, lost communication procedures and the equipment issues that cause them, radar assistance, NTSB accident and incident reporting, runway status lights, and when to declare an emergency.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
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