The RTR(A) licence
6 min readWritten fromR.K. Bali, chapter 1, Introduction and Syllabus
Relaxed RT discipline, including non-standard procedure and phraseology, can create misunderstandings that contribute to fatal accidents, AIRPROX events and other incidents. RTR(A) is the Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical) certificate issued by the Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing, Ministry of Communications.
INCIDENT 1
At night on a procedural NDB approach, “descend two four zero zero, cleared for NDB approach” was heard as descent to 400 ft. The non-standard read-back did not expose the error. A GPWS warning was not acted on and the aircraft struck a wooded hillside at 437 ft amsl, 1 nm before the NDB and 8 nm from touchdown.
Lessons learnt
The clearance was misheard, the read-back was non-standard, and ATC did not correct it.
INCIDENT 2
On a busy SID, “head one hundred” and “climb flight level eight zero” led to FL100 being selected. Separation reduced to less than 1 nm and 300 ft. The lessons were to use a full heading format, say TO ALTITUDE (number) when applicable, and avoid ambiguous phrases such as “descend one thousand feet”.
WHAT CAN RT DISCIPLINE ACHIEVE?
Standard phraseology prevents misunderstanding and language difficulty, builds situational awareness, reduces confirmation and frequency congestion, and lets errors be detected and corrected.
What it authorises
The certificate authorises its holder to operate an aeronautical mobile station in India. In practical terms, it is the authority for the radio station in the aeroplane. It is separate from the flight crew licence issued by DGCA. A pilot who will use R/T needs both qualifications before operating.
WPC WingIssues RTR(A)
DGCAIssues flight crew licences
R/T firstHold RTR(A) before use
Operating responsibility
Use the assigned callsign and keep the frequency for operational traffic. Do not make superfluous or profane transmissions. Correspondence heard on aeronautical channels is confidential: do not disclose a message not intended for you. Unlicensed, false or deceptive transmissions can attract penalties.
Where students lose the markAn RTR(A) is not an endorsement on a pilot licence. It is a separate radio certificate.
The examination
6 min readWritten fromR.K. Bali, chapter 1, Introduction and Syllabus
The RTR(A) examination has a practical Part I and oral Part II. Each carries 100 marks, the pass mark is 50 in each part, and failure in Part I fails the R/T examination.
| Part I: Practical test in Regulation and Procedures | Book requirement |
|---|
| Format | Synthetic R/T circuit, 100 marks, 25 minutes. |
| Skills | Phonetic alphabet, general procedure, mobile-station communication, message preparation and traffic exchange. |
| Operational subjects | Meteorological information, position reports, distress, urgency, safety and D/F procedures. |
| Part II: Oral examination | 100 marks |
|---|
| A) REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURE | International and Indian rules, Q codes, general RTF procedure, distress, urgency, direction finding, spelling, meteorological codes, pre-flight briefing, FIRs, NOTAM and ATS. |
| B) RADIO PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE | Volt, Ampere, Ohm, Watt, wavelength and frequency, propagation, day/night frequencies, skip distance, fading, ground shadow, SELCAL, intercom, radio aids, microphones, squelch, AVC, tuning, simplex, duplex, range and interference. |
Regulations and oral work
This part tests the legal framework, standard words, procedures, radio discipline, callsigns, frequency use, distress and urgency procedure, and the information a pilot must obtain or pass. The candidate must explain a rule as well as recognise its wording.
| Part | What it tests |
|---|
| Regulations and procedures | Rules, phraseology, publications, discipline and operating obligations. |
| Practical transmitting and receiving | Clear spoken transmissions, read-backs, traffic exchanges, meteorological information and emergency calls. |
Practical standard
In the practical, the examiner listens for intelligible standard speech, correct callsign use, sequence and read-back. A correct fact placed in the wrong transmission order is not a satisfactory operational call.
Exam wordingDescribe what the certificate authorises, then distinguish the knowledge examination from the transmission test.
Interactive Exam structure
Tap either part to see what it covers.ICAO, ITU and WPC
7 min readWritten fromR.K. Bali, chapter 1, Introduction and Syllabus
ICAO Annex 10, Volume I and Volume II, Aeronautical Telecommunications, govern the technical systems and operational telecommunication procedures around radiotelephony. ICAO Annex 6 sets the radio equipment to be carried for aircraft operations. The Indian regulatory frame also includes Aircraft Rules 1937, Part VII, ITU Radio Regulations and the International Telecommunication Convention.
DGCA and WPC process
WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunications, issues the RTR(A) certificate. DGCA prescribes the flight-crew qualification and operational requirement. The certificate gives aeronautical radio-operator privilege; the pilot licence remains a separate DGCA licence. Keep both authorisations valid before exercising the associated privileges.
The Annex family
| Annex | Subject | Why an R/T operator cares |
|---|
| 1 | Personnel Licensing | Sets the licensing framework. |
| 2 | Rules of the Air | Defines the flight rules R/T supports. |
| 3 | Meteorological Service | Controls aviation weather information. |
| 6 | Operation of Aircraft | Sets aircraft operating and equipment requirements. |
| 10 | Aeronautical Telecommunications | Governs communications and R/T. |
| 11 | Air Traffic Services | Defines ATS provided by the stations called. |
| 15 | Aeronautical Information Services | Provides the published information pilots use. |
Spectrum and station licensing
The ITU allocates radio-frequency spectrum internationally through World Radiocommunication Conferences. In India, WPC implements this framework and issues station licences. ICAO standardises aviation practice; ITU makes orderly use of the spectrum possible.
Interactive Annex picker
Annex (tap a row)
Radio operator focus
Indian carriage rules
6 min readWritten fromR.K. Bali, chapter 1, Introduction and Syllabus
Aircraft Rules 1937, Part VII requires suitable, serviceable two-way radio where the operation demands it, including controlled airspace, IFR and scheduled service.
Serviceable communication
The aircraft must be able to communicate with the relevant ground stations. A scheduled aircraft in controlled airspace that has lost its only serviceable transmitter before departure does not meet that carriage requirement. The defect must be resolved or the operation changed in accordance with the applicable authority and procedure.
The ruleTwo-way radio is an operating requirement, not merely a convenience for receiving a clearance.
Annex 6 capability
ICAO Annex 6 requires radio capable of two-way communication with aerodrome control and the appropriate ATS unit, reception of meteorological information in flight, and continuous communication capability on 121.5 MHz.
121.5 MHzEmergency frequency
Two-wayControl and ATS
In flightReceive meteorology
Publications and discipline
6 min readWritten fromR.K. Bali, chapter 1, Introduction and Syllabus
The radio operator works from current aeronautical information, not memory or an old chart.
Publication set
- AIP India gives the enduring national aeronautical information.
- AIP Supplements announce temporary changes of longer duration.
- AICs circulate explanatory or advisory material.
- NOTAM carries time-critical operational changes.
- CNS Manual gives communications, navigation and surveillance material.
- AERADIO stations are Airports Authority of India aeronautical communication stations.
| Before transmitting | Check |
|---|
| Identity | Assigned aircraft callsign and the station being called. |
| Information | Current AIP, NOTAM, ATIS and applicable procedure. |
| Discipline | Only necessary traffic, standard phraseology and secrecy of correspondence. |
Licence to speak, duty to listen
An RTR(A) grants authority to operate R/T. It does not grant permission to occupy the frequency unnecessarily. Listen first, transmit only the required message, and protect information intended for another station or aircraft.
