radio.training

The PPL flight test, item by item: what you can practise here

Transport Canada's Flight Test Guide for the Private Pilot Licence (TP 13723) lists what the examiner assesses. Below are its radio (Ex. 30) and pilot navigation (Ex. 23) criteria, quoted as written, each with what in this app practises it. Where nothing does yet, it says so.

Ex. 30 Radio Communication

• (a) select appropriate frequencies for facilities to be used; Practise it: Taxi in after landing at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Taxi with a squawk and a hold short at Abbotsford (CYXX), Cross-country: Abbotsford to Chilliwack, Copy the ATIS (drill)
• (b) demonstrate a practical knowledge of the radio/avionics installation in the aircraft; Not practised in this app yet. That one is for the aircraft itself.
• (c) transmit using recommended phraseology while demonstrating an efficient and understandable use of the English or French language, as appropriate; Practise it: Radio check at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Taxi request at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Takeoff clearance at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Circuit calls & landing clearance at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Numbers and callsigns (drill) Every scenario practises this: each call is graded against the NAV CANADA guide. The numbers drill covers how numbers and callsigns are said.
• (d) acknowledge and comply with radio communications and ATC instructions; Practise it: Ready for departure at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Taxi with a squawk and a hold short at Abbotsford (CYXX), Ready for departure at Boundary Bay (CZBB), Inbound to the zone at Abbotsford (CYXX), Pick the correct readback (drill), Copy the clearance (drill) The readback and clearance drills train hearing and recognising a clearance; the scenarios are where you say the readback.
• (e) maintain a “listening watch” and making appropriate radio calls on the appropriate frequency applicable to the airspace or training area; Practise it: Busy frequency at Langley Regional (CYNJ), Out to the practice area from Abbotsford (CYXX), Uncontrolled aerodrome arrival at Chilliwack (CYCW, MF), Departure from an uncontrolled aerodrome at Brampton (CNC3, ATF)
• (f) demonstrate awareness of other traffic; Practise it: Traffic you cannot see at Pitt Meadows (CYPK), Uncontrolled aerodrome arrival at Chilliwack (CYCW, MF), Ready for departure at Boundary Bay (CZBB)
• (g) comply with or demonstrate a practical knowledge of ATC light signals; Practise it: Light signals (drill), Radio failure in the circuit (drill)
• (h) demonstrate or explain the correct procedure for obtaining emergency radar assistance or a Special VFR clearance; Practise it: Arriving at Langley Regional (CYNJ) on a grey afternoon Special VFR is covered; emergency radar assistance is not.
• (i) explain how to obtain weather information from a radio facility; Practise it: Copy the ATIS (drill) Partly: the ATIS. Asking a flight service station for weather is not covered yet.
• (j) explain how to use correct emergency communication procedures, the use of transponder codes and cellphone backup in the event of radio communications failure. Practise it: A rough-running engine near Abbotsford (CYXX), Radio failure in the circuit (drill)

Ex. 23 Pilot Navigation

• (A(i)) prepare a chart and a navigational flight log, including estimated headings, appropriate power settings, ground speed, fuel requirements and time enroute; Not practised in this app yet. Not practised in the app: a nav log is worked by hand. The VFR nav log guide on this site explains every column with a worked example.
• (A(k)) complete an ICAO VFR flight plan form for review by the examiner; Not practised in this app yet.
• (B(c)) comply with all departure clearances and instructions; Practise it: Cross-country: Abbotsford to Chilliwack, Takeoff clearance at Langley Regional (CYNJ)
• (B(d)) open the flight plan with ATS or simulate opening with the examiner; Practise it: Cross-country: Abbotsford to Chilliwack
• (D(a)) estimate an initial heading to fly direct, based on a track line; ... estimate an approximate time enroute to the alternate destination; Practise it: Diversion (drill)
• (D(h)) simulate communication with ATS to inform of intention to divert. Practise it: Diversion (drill) The drill shows the change-of-flight-plan call; speaking it is not graded yet.

Instructors: every scenario and drill has a link you can send a student.

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