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Key notes

090 CommunicationsChapter 8
CodeMeaning
H24Continuous day and night
HJSunrise to sunset
HNSunset to sunrise
HOOperating hours
HSScheduled operational hours
HXNo specific hours
ItemValue
No reply wait time10 seconds
Radio check max lengthunder 10 seconds
Time format4-digit UTC
Heavy wake categoryover 136,000 kg
Flight number abbreviationNot allowed
CodeMeaning
QFEHeight (airfield pressure)
QNHAltitude (MSL pressure)
QDMMagnetic track TO station
QDRMagnetic bearing FROM station
QTETrue bearing FROM station
QUJTrue track TO station
ItemValue
Long final4–8 NM
Short finalunder 2 NM
EAT given if delayover 10 min
EAT revised if changeover 5 min
Signal square viewing2,000 ft AAL
Deadside descent1,000 ft AAL
CodeMeaning
7500Hijack
7600Radio failure
7700Emergency
ConditionHold time
No radar20 min after missed CRP report
With radar7 min (latest of level reached, 7600, or missed CRP)
Landing window±30 min of EAT/ETA
ItemValue
ATIS update interval30 min
RVR reported when visunder 1,500 m
CAVOK visibility10 km+
CAVOK cloud baseno cloud under 5,000 ft or MSA
METAR wind updatedirection over 60° or speed over 10 kts
Braking: Goodcoefficient over 0.4, code 5
Braking: Poorcoefficient under 0.25, code 1
ItemValue
VHF aeronautical band117.955–137 MHz
VHF channels118–136.975 MHz
Channel spacing8.33 kHz (25 kHz backup)
HF band2.85–22 MHz
Range formula1.23√(h₁ + h₂) ft → NM
Wave equation3 × 10⁸ = f × λ
#Type
1Distress (MAYDAY)
2Urgency (PAN PAN)
3Direction finding
4Flight safety
5Meteorological
6Flight regularity
PhraseUse
MAYDAY × 3Distress
PAN PAN × 3Urgency
PAN PAN MEDICALProtected medical transport
STOP TRANSMITTING, MAYDAYImpose silence
CANCEL DISTRESSEnd distress (aircraft)
DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDEDEnd distress (ATC)