ATC Practice Listening Test Audio Script

Section 1

ATC Pilot
1 Ground, Ibisair 312 vacating Runway
31Right on Charlie for Bay 11
Ibisair 312 Ground, hold position, I say again
hold position. An A320 is inbound on Alpha to
your left for Bay 14. Once that aircraft is clear
continue on Charlie for your bay. Caution jet
blast.
Ibisair 312 understood, pass behind the
A320.
2 Nelson Ground good morning, Skyways
23 requesting start and pushback from
Bay 8.
Skyways 23 Ground good morning, company
A320 just taxiing from Bay 7; when clear of
that aircraft start and pushback approved.
Clear of the outbound A320, start and
pushback approved, Skyways 23.
3 Qantas 309, there is a fog bank now moving
across Runway 25 from the south, with RVR
reduced to 300 metres south of Runway 31
Right. Will a departure still be acceptable from
25?
Qantas 309, err we require a minimum of
400 metres visibility.
Qantas 309, roger. At this stage continue for
25, the fog banks are moving through in
waves with a light southerly and we also
expect the fog to continue to break up. There
may be just a short delay at the holding point.
4 Nelson Ground, Bantex 58 request
pushback and start Bay 4.
Bantex 58, Nelson Ground good evening.
There is an A330 pushed back from Bay 3
behind you, he will be taxiing shortly. When
clear of that aircraft, pushback and start
approved.
Clear of the A330, pushback and start
approved, Bantex 58.
Bantex 58, additional traffic is a 767 pushing
back from bay 7. He should be well clear of
you at all times.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 1

5 Nelson Departures Pacific 286 left 1100 on
climb to 5000 feet.
Pacific 117 Departures identified; climb to
8000 feet.
8000 feet Pacific 117.
Pacific 117 turn right heading 360, short
delay at 8000 feet due crossing traffic.
Right heading 360 and we’ve got the traffic
sighted above in our 2 o’clock position,
Pacific 117.
Pacific 117, roger, expect climb in 3 miles.
Pacific 117.
6 Nelson Clearance Delivery, Pacific 117 for
Curran requesting airways clearance.
Pacific 117, cleared to Curran via amended
route MOSSY, LISON, planned route,
MOSSY 4 departure, maintain 5000
Runway 31 left, squawk code 2601,
Departures frequency 123.5
Cleared to Curran via amended route
MOSSY, LISON, planned route, MOSSY 4
departure, maintain 5000 Runway 31 Left,
squawk code 2601, Departures frequency
123.5, Pacific 117.
7 Ibisair 150 received Bravo, request taxi
clearance for a Bravo intersection
departure.
Ibisair 150, cleared to taxi via Delta 3 then
Alpha hold short of Bravo. I will advise on
the intersection departure, time 29.
Cleared to taxi via Delta 3 and Alpha and
hold short of Bravo, Ibisair 150.
8 Ibisair 150, taxi via Delta 3, follow the
outbound Fokker 28 and Boeing 777, then
left on Alpha, expedite crossing Runway
25, continue on Alpha to holding point
Delta 1, Runway 31 Right. Intersection
departure not available due wake
turbulence from the preceding heavy –
we’ll get you away a little quicker this way.
Roger, follow the outbound Fokker 28 and
Boeing 777 via Delta 3 and Alpha, to
holding point Delta 1; Runway 31 Right for
the full length; Ibisair 150.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 2

9 Tower, Pacific 117 ready, Runway 31 Right
request RVR.
Pacific 117, RVR now 200 metres over and
north of Runway 31 Right, I understand
your minimum is 400 metres.
Affirm that is correct, Pacific 117.
Pacific 117, understood. The fog is
currently clear of Runway 31 Left. Runway
31 Left is available, however there may still
be a delay due traffic.
Err…we’d prefer to continue for Runway 31
Right, Pacific 117.
Pacific 117, 747 departing, behind that
aircraft line up and wait, Runway 31 Right
behind, cancel SID.
Behind the departing 747, line up and wait,
Runway 31 Right. Cancel SID, Pacific 117.
Pacific 117 expect a further 2 minute delay
on the runway, the fog bank is also now
just clearing 31 Right and the visibility is
clear behind.
Pacific 117.

10 Nelson Ground, Swiftjet 321 has vacated

Runway 13R on Bravo

Swiftjet 321, Nelson Ground, hold short of

Runway 13L, request your parking spot.

Hold short Runway 13L, we are for the

western commuter apron, Swiftjet 321.

Swiftjet 321 copied, cross Runway 13L,

expedite. Traffic is on 3 mile final for that
runway. Taxi via Alpha and Charlie to the
western commuter apron.

Section 2
ATC Pilot
Valley View Centre, Oceanic 221 maintaining
FL350.
Oceanic 221, Valley View Centre, STAR clearance
ah, MITEY 2 arrival JERRY Transition, Runway 18,
when ready descend to FL220.
MITEY 2 arrival, JERRY transition, Runway 18,
when ready descend to FL220, and we are leaving
FL350 on descent, Oceanic 221.
Oceanic 221, roger, for sequencing reduce speed
to 240 knots on descent.
The best we can do is reduce to 290KTS until
about 75 nautical miles Valley View, Oceanic 221.
Oceanic 221, roger, for sequencing reduce speed
ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 3
to 290 knots, turn right heading 300 degrees. You
can expect to be on this heading for approximately
8 minutes.
Reduce speed to 290 knots; turn right heading 300
degrees, Oceanic 221.

Centre Oceanic 221, our radar is showing build-

ups ahead. Request a westerly heading.

Oceanic 221, position 20 miles North East of

BLOKE, cancel STAR, resume own navigation,
track direct to CAPER thence HILDA, Valley Field,
descend to FL190.
Cancel STAR track direct to CAPER, HILDA,
Valley Field, FL190, Oceanic 221.
And Centre, that track still takes us into the edge of
the buildups. Request deviations up to 5 miles left
of track, Oceanic 221.
Oceanic 221 cleared to deviate up to 5 miles left of
track. Report clear of the weather.
5miles left of track, wilco, Oceanic 221.

Centre, Transair 001, we are 15 miles South East

of BLOKE this time, experiencing moderate
turbulence and reducing to turbulence penetration
speed. Request descent to FL190.
Transair 001, descend to FL190. Report the speed
you are reducing to.
FL190 leaving FL210, we are reducing to 200
knots, Transair 001.
Transair 001, cancel STAR, track present position
direct to Valley Field. Expect visual approach,
Runway 27.
Centre request continue to track via planned route
to avoid weather on direct track to Valley Field,
Transair 001.
Transair 001, roger, remain on track, cancel STAR.
Expect vectors after JERRY for a visual approach,
Runway 27.
Remain on track, cancel STAR and expect vectors
to a visual approach, Runway 27, Transair 001.

Transair 001, report when clear of the turbulence

and resuming at normal speed.
Wilco, Transair 001.

Transair 001, approaching FL 190...ah... we’ve

encountered some severe turbulence on our way
down and ah… crew have reported that we’ve got
some injured passengers; I’m not sure how serious
it is at this stage. We request an ambulance on
arrival as a precaution.
Transair 001 roger, copied that. Continue descent
to FL130 and we’ll have medical assistance
available on arrival.
Descend to FL130, thanks, Transair 001.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 4

Transair 001 the medical services are requesting
the number of people injured and the extent of the
injuries.
Roger standby, I am checking with the cabin crew
now to get an update. We have at least two people
hurt. I will advise further shortly, Transair 001.
Transair 001, and are you still experiencing
turbulence?
Affirm we are still in moderate turbulence, Transair
001.
Centre, Transair 001 the cabin crew have advised
that we have quite a few injured passengers, but
only two we are seriously concerned about.
Transair 001 and can you advise what the injuries
are?
Affirm, one passenger fell heavily against a food
trolley and has chest pain, another hit his head and
is unconscious. The others have only minor injuries
that are already being successfully treated,
Transair 001.
Transair 001, regarding the passenger with chest
pain, the paramedic here is requesting further
details. What information do you now have?
The cabin crew have found a nurse on board and
she advises that there is no obvious chest injury
but is concerned the patient’s condition could
deteriorate. Reports are it’s a suspected heart
attack. First aid is being administered and we have
the necessary equipment on board, Transair 001.
Transair 001, does the other passenger who lost
consciousness have any visible head injuries?
Negative, he has no external signs of injury either
but he hit his head on an overhead bin. The nurse
has advised us he is now conscious and breathing
normally. He appears to be in no immediate
danger, Transair 001.

Transair 001, are you able to confirm all the other

injuries are under control?
Affirm, all are minor as advised earlier, Transair
001.
Centre, Transair 001, we are passing FL150 and
we are no longer in turbulence, resuming normal
speed.
Transair 001 roger, descend to 9000 feet on a
QNH of 998, we have a full medical team and
ambulances awaiting your arrival. Contact Valley
View Approach on 125.8 at JERRY.
Descend to 9000 feet, QNH 998, Valley View
Approach on 125.8 at JERRY, and thanks for you
help, Transair 001.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 5

 Section 33

Questions 1 & 2

Nick Hi Pete and Linda thanks for coming over. Have a seat.

Linda Hi Nick.

Peter Ah, Thanks Nick. Um I guess it’s about that helicopter and the go around this morning?

Nick That’s correct Pete. Linda, I also wanted to get your input – are you fully aware of what
happened?

Linda Yes Nick, I followed the whole situation closely in Departures because we were very busy and we
didn’t really need any complications. But Peter did everything he could in the circumstances.

Nick I’m sure. However, we’ve had a complaint from Oceanic Airways about their 747 having to go
around when on short final. Initially they were under the impression there had been a runway
incursion caused by the Transair 777.

Peter How did they get that idea?

Nick I don’t know, but I listened to the tapes and I’ve since briefed the Oceanic people on the actual
cause of events. I also thought your perspective might be useful - can you tell me exactly what
happened?

Peter Well, the morning rush was underway and we were running departures and arrivals very close.
We could only use Runway 36 because they were doing work on Runway 24.

Nick Yes, apparently those works were urgent and couldn’t be delayed… and yes, I know this put real
constraints on the use of Runway 36.

Peter Anyway, Bantex 122 departed and then Transair 001 lined up with an instruction to be
immediately ready for departure. Bantex 122 was cleared onto a heading of 290 and it was just a
matter of seeing that aircraft turn before clearing Transair 001 for takeoff.

Nick OK.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 6

Questions 3 & 4

Peter Well, I had just seen Bantex 122 start turning onto track, and I was waiting to clear Transair 001,
when Linda called me from Departures.

Nick Right…..

Peter She indicated that there was a primary target 1 mile from the threshold of Runway 36 at 1200
feet and moving slowly to the east.

Nick Was that the helicopter she could see?

Peter Yes, yes. I grabbed the binoculars and quickly realised that it was one of those fire-fighting
helicopters; I guess returning from fire-fighting operations out to the west – no doubt the same
fire which caused the bad visibility over the field yesterday.

Nick Yes, that fire is a big one and those men have been working very hard….. But anyway, how was
the separation between Bantex 122 and the helicopter?

Peter Well, technically we had a separation breakdown because Bantex 122 was obviously within 3
miles of the helicopter and once he had passed 200 feet on climb he was in conflict.

Nick Ok, but was there any danger of collision?

Peter No I didn’t think so Nick, by the time Bantex 122 was passing 1200 feet he had turned and was
tracking away from and behind the helicopter.

Linda That’s right Nick. I watched it on the radar and they were well clear.

Nick Good, thanks Linda.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 7

Questions 5 & 6

Nick So Peter, did you call the two aircraft to pass on the traffic information?

Peter Absolutely Nick. I followed the regulations and issued a traffic alert to Bantex 122 - they
responded by indicating that they had the helicopter in sight.

Nick What about the helicopter, Peter; did you attempt to call them?

Peter Yes. I called them on the Tower frequency and I also got Linda to call on her frequencies.

Linda Which I did, straight away.

Nick Right, so I guess then that you both had no contact?

Peter That’s correct Nick, they remained silent at that time.

Linda That’s right.

Nick OK… so you did hear from them then?

Peter Well not in the Tower, but they contacted Departures about 5 minutes later when they realised
they’d flown through the control zone.

Nick OK so lets move on to the Oceanic 221 go around.

Peter Yeah… OK, well I couldn’t allow Transair 001 to depart because the helicopter was right in their
flight path and I wasn’t able to clear them for takeoff when they reported ready. I had no choice
but to keep them on the runway and instruct Oceanic 221 to go around.

Questions 7 & 8

Nick So Pete, were there any separation issues with Oceanic 221 going around?

Peter No not really. I instructed them to climb to 4000 feet and gave them a heading to keep them well
clear of the helicopter. Then I did the coordination with Departures and transferred Oceanic 221
to Linda’s frequency.

Nick What about Bantex 122, how did you ensure the separation with Oceanic 221 and them?

Peter Well that wasn’t actually an issue because Oceanic 221 was still 2 miles from touchdown when I
gave the go around instruction and they didn’t ever get close to Bantex 122.

Linda On the radar they didn’t get closer than 4 miles.

Nick Good and, did operations get back to normal after that?

Peter Yes. The helicopter continued east and left the control zone. Soon after that they landed out at
Lake Togam – I believe that’s where they refill their water tanks.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 8

Questions 9 & 10

Nick What about Transair 001?

Peter There was a further short delay before Transair 001 could depart - because I was ensuring
separation between that aircraft and Oceanic 221 going around - but once Transair 001 departed,
we continued with the planned sequence.

Nick OK, so it appears that any real disruption was limited to Oceanic 221.

Linda There were a couple of other aircraft which we had to vector to adjust the sequence, but they
only ended up with a few extra track miles and perhaps an extra minute or two of flight time.

Nick And what about Oceanic 221?

Linda We managed to slip them back into the sequence as number four to land. We were helped by the
fact that Ibisair 400 – due to depart after Transair 001 – was delayed for 10 minutes by a minor
hydraulics problem. I guess Oceanic 221 was in the air for an extra 15 minutes.

Nick Good… thanks for the information Peter and Linda. I’ll let Oceanic know the full details of what
happened. Well done to you both – I think you did the right thing.

Peter OK Nick, thanks.

Linda Thanks Nick.

ATC Practice Listening Test July 2008 9