Standard Radio Procedures and Communication Maintenance

This section provides insights and guidelines on the standard radio procedures and how to establish and maintain effective communication for pilots operating Outside Controlled Airspace (OCTA), as per the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements. These guidelines are crucial for ensuring safety, maintaining situational awareness, and enhancing communication proficiency in non-controlled airspaces.

Standard Radio Procedures for OCTA

General Protocols

• Visual and Radio Coordination: Pilots must integrate radio communication with visual observation to ensure safe separation and effective collision avoidance in OCTA. This dual approach is vital for maintaining situational awareness.

• Communication Practices: Use of standardized phraseology is essential. It enhances clarity and reduces misunderstandings, contributing to effective communication among pilots and air traffic services.

Minimum Radio Calls

According to the Part 91 Manual of Standards (MOS) | CASA, pilots are required to perform specific radio calls to indicate their position and intentions. Minimum requirement calls include:

• Departure and Arrival: Announce departure intention from and arrival into non-controlled aerodromes.
• Position Reports: Provide regular updates on position, altitude, and flight path.
• Intent Announcements: Convey flight intentions to ensure other pilots are aware of your actions.

Guidelines for Operators

• For Part 135 Operators, company-specific communication methods should be documented and clearly incorporated in operational procedures to ensure consistent communication practices within Class G airspace and non-controlled aerodromes.

Establishing and Maintaining Communications

Key Communication Strategies

• Listen and Inform: Maintain vigilance to continuously update situational awareness by listening to ongoing traffic communications. This helps ascertain potential traffic conflicts and informs decision-making.

• Regular Updates: Consistently update your position, altitude, and flight intentions over the radio, especially during critical phases such as ascent, descent, and maneuvering near aerodromes.

• Frequency Management: Ensure effective frequency monitoring. Switch to the appropriate frequency as you transition between different airspaces and continuously monitor it for traffic information and instructions.

Supporting Resources

• Advisory Circulars:

  • AC 91-10: Provides guidelines for operations around non-controlled aerodromes.
  • AC 91-14: Outlines pilots’ responsibilities for collision avoidance through effective radio use.
  • Advisory Circular 91-10 - CASA
  • Advisory Circular 91-14 - CASA

• CASR References:

  • CASR 91.625 details the eligibility for transmitting on aviation frequencies.
  • CASR 91.630 outlines specific radio calls and the procedures.
  • Part 91 MOS further guides radio operation procedures.

• Educational Materials:

  • The “Be heard, be seen, be safe” booklet: Offers detailed instructions on radio procedure protocols.
  • The Radio Procedures Booklet: A comprehensive guide on best practices for radio communication in non-controlled airspace. Radio Procedures in Non-Controlled Airspace (PDF) - CASA

Conclusion

By adhering to these guidelines and utilizing these resources, pilots operating in OCTA can ensure effective communication practices, maintain situational awareness, and comply with CASA protocols for safety. The ability to conduct and maintain proficient communication using standard radio procedures is essential for pilots to operate safely and effectively in non-controlled airspace.