Exercise E · RT practice for UK pilots
Services & transits
Requesting an ATS service, MATZ penetration and zone transits.
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
Prompt 1 of 5
You are G-ABCD, a Cessna 152, VFR from Norwich to your next reporting point, overhead Beccles at altitude 2400 feet. Request a Basic Service from London Information.
The point to get right: Initial call (CAP 413 Fig 26): 'London Information, G-ABCD, request Basic Service' — nothing more. The unit replies 'G-ABCD, London Information, pass your message'. Then give your details (CARPAI: callsign, type, route, position, altitude with pressure setting, intentions) without repeating the request. When told 'Basic Service', read back 'Basic Service, G-ABCD'. If given a squawk, read it back first.Prompt 2 of 5
You are G-ABCD, 5 miles east of Lakenheath, heading 270, at altitude 1500 feet, routing to your next reporting point, and your track takes you through the Lakenheath MATZ. Call Lakenheath Radar and request MATZ penetration.
The point to get right: Call the MATZ controller and request 'MATZ penetration', giving position, HEADING, altitude and routing — the heading matters here because the controller is separating you from military traffic. Read back any instructions, the pressure setting (QFE/QNH) and the squawk.Prompt 3 of 5
You are G-ABCD overhead Beccles at altitude 2000 feet, routing to your next reporting point, and your track crosses the Norwich control zone. Call Norwich Radar and request a zone transit.
The point to get right: Request a 'zone transit'. Expect a clearance with a level and route plus a squawk — clearance, level and squawk are all mandatory readbacks.Prompt 4 of 5
You have been working London Information with a Basic Service and now want to change to Norwich Radar on 119.355. Tell London Information before you change frequency.
The point to get right: Before leaving a Basic Service you must ADVISE the unit — you are telling them, not asking. A FIS is not ATC and has no frequency change to approve; expect an acknowledgement, or 'freecall Norwich Radar 119.355'. Phrase: 'London Information, G-ABCD, changing to Norwich Radar 119.355'. (At an ATC unit it is the other way round — the controller ISSUES the change, 'contact <station> <frequency>', and that is a mandatory readback.)Prompt 5 of 5
You have two-way contact with Norwich Radar and now want a Traffic Service instead of a Basic Service. Make the call.
The point to get right: Upgrade the service: 'G-ABCD request Traffic Service'. Read back the service you're given.
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.
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.