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Exercise B · RT practice for UK pilots

Readbacks

Practise reading back instructions from ATC.

5 prompts, worked here at Norwich (EGSH). In the app the same prompts use your own home aerodrome and callsign.

The calls in this exercise

  1. Prompt 1 of 5

    G-ABCD, Beccles Radio, READABILITY 5, RUNWAY 09, QNH 1013

    The point to get right: Mandatory readback: runway in use, altimeter setting. Readability is information only — no readback needed. Format: '<readback>, G-ABCD'.

  2. Prompt 2 of 5

    G-ABCD, Norwich Tower, READABILITY 5, TAXI HOLDING POINT ECHO 2, RUNWAY 09 VIA TAXIWAY ECHO, QNH 1013

    The point to get right: Mandatory readback: taxi instructions, runway, QNH. 'Hectopascals' must be included in readback when QNH is below 1000.

  3. Prompt 3 of 5

    G-ABCD, BEHIND THE LANDING CESSNA 150, VIA ECHO, LINE UP AND WAIT 03 BEHIND

    The point to get right: Mandatory readback: conditional clearance to enter runway. Conditional readbacks must include the condition ('behind the landing Cessna 150') and end with 'behind'.

  4. Prompt 4 of 5

    G-ABCD, Norwich Radar, SQUAWK 6171, CLIMB ALTITUDE 4000 FEET, QNH 1013

    The point to get right: Three mandatory readbacks here: squawk code, level instruction and pressure setting. Read all three back with your callsign — e.g. 'Squawk 6171, climb altitude 4000 feet, QNH 1013, G-ABCD'.

  5. Prompt 5 of 5

    G-ABCD, Norwich Radar, CLEARED TO TRANSIT THE Norwich ZONE, NOT ABOVE ALTITUDE 2000 FEET, VFR, SQUAWK 4602, REPORT ENTERING THE ZONE

    The point to get right: Read back the clearance, the level restriction and the squawk (all mandatory). 'Report entering the zone' is an instruction to report — acknowledge with 'wilco', do NOT read it back as a statement. Finish with your callsign.

How TowerTalk grades a call, and what it grades against →

Now say them to a controller

Push-to-talk, at your own aerodrome. The AI controller answers and the grader tells you what CAP 413 says about each call.

Practise this exerciseFree radio check
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Prompts and notes are written in our own words against CAP 413 (Edition 24) and the UK AIP. Frequencies are for training only. Practice aid only — not the official FRTOL test and not a guaranteed pass. Always defer to CAP 413, your instructor or examiner and the CAA; check the current UK AIP before flying.