Pilots use the Phonetic Alphabet when relaying call signs etc.  This is one of those things you will have to learn!  We've included it below to help.

• When you first start learning how to fly, your instructor will help you with your radio calls.  You will however eventually need to master them. 
• It is not as hard as it seems and practising will certainly help! 
• You may want to jot down the calls on a piece of paper to help you, just in case you get too nervous!  Actually, you will probably find it's not so much remembering the relevant call that's a problem, as opposed to the fear of pressing in the mike button and talking to the Tower! 

• Your instructor will teach you what radio calls you need to know, but here is an example of those used at Moorabbin Airport.  

There is no need to make an initial taxi call as it is a GAAP Aerodrome.
Listen to the ATIS to determine the runway for your departure. Note all of the active runways. Taxi to the runway at your discretion holding short at any active holding point and asking for clearance to cross it. Continue to your departure runway and make a radio call as follows:

YOU: Moorabbin Tower, ABC, Cessna 172, ready runway 17L, North Departure, recieved information ALPHA

ATC: ABC, Moorabbin Tower, Hold short runway 17L.

YOU: Hold short 17L, ABC

The tower will wait for the runway to clear.

ATC: ABC, clear for takeoff runway 17L.

YOU: Clear for takeoff runway 17L, ABC

It is of CRITICAL importance that the runway is specified. Because parallel runways are operated from the one frequency, it must be declared to avoid confusion.

The Circuit
The first call to the tower shall be changed from "North Departure" to "For Circuits". Circuits at YMMB are standard GAAP. Piston aircraft are to fly patterns at 1000', turboprops are to fly at 1500'. Ensure you stay well withing the control zone of the tower using the GPS. The only radio call required is on the downwind leg:

YOU: Moorabbin Tower, ABC is Downwind, runway 17L for Touch and Go/Full stop.

ATC: ABC Number One.

In this situation, because 'number one' is information, it is not read back. Therefore, the readback is simply 'ABC'.


Follow the directions of the tower.
Be sure to read back all instructions and clearances. Do not read back information. For example:

ATC: ABC, the Cherokee to your 11 o'clock is joining final for 17 right, cleared touch and go 17L.

YOU: Cleared touch and go 17L, ABC


If it is a CTAF(R), announce calls using the APLIE system:
A-Aircraft (what you are flying ie VH-ABC)
P-Position (where you are)
L-Level (how high are you)
I-Intentions (what do you want to do)
E-Estimate (when do you expect to get there [FSX TIME])

Also, please note that you should be using a realistic callsign. In Australia callsigns are VH- and 3 letters .

eg.VH-RLG
         or
     VH-PZH