Part B - Audio Comprehension

The Audio Comprehension section will vary depending on the test center where you will take the exam.

You can access the content of the formats and sample questions carried out by the test centres below.

EPAP Format

  • There are 6-7 audio recordings in EPAP format and each audio recording is played twice without asking you.
  • Audio recordings include ATIS, Clearance, Unexpected situations, Emergency and Readback. The number audio recordings you will encounter may vary depending on the exam.
  • Before each audio recording, you can see the questions on the screen. Therefore, listening to the audio recordings by focusing on these questions and taking notes will make this part easier for you.
  • After the audio recordings, the examiner asks you some questions. You are requested not to answer the questions before being asked by the examiner. In addition, the examiner may also ask you to repeat what was said in the recording. (i.e. “Can you please readback the audio?”)

EPAP Format - Part B Audio Recording Sample:

Transcription of Recording:

RECORDING 1
Question 1: What was the given squawk?
Answer: 1040
Question 2: Which SID was given?
Answer: It was Kennedy 1 departure.
Question 3: What was the given initial climb altitude?
Answer: Initial climb altitude was 5000 ft.
RECORDING 2
Question 1: What was requested from the pilot?
Answer: He was requested to climb 3000 ft.
RECORDING 3
Question 1: What was the emergency of the aircraft?
Answer: Aircraft has an engine failure.
Question 2: Which info was asked by the ATC?
Answer: ATC wants to confirm the call sign of the aircraft.
Question 3: Which instruction was given by the ATC?
Answer: ATC asks him to call when he is ready to turn.
RECORDING 4
Question 1: What was pilot’s intention?
Answer: Most probably the pilot has a landing gear problem and he wants to have the aircraft’s landing gear checked by the ATC and then make another approach.
RECORDING 5
Question 1: What is the runway in use?
Answer: Runway in use is 07
Question 2: What is the departure frequency?
Answer: Departure frequency is 127.720
Question 3: What is the actual wind?
Answer: Wind is 080 degrees 7 knots
RECORDING 6
Question 1: What is the runway in use?
Answer: Runways in use are 05 Left and 05 Right
Question 2: What is the visibility?
Answer: Visibility is 10 km or more
Question 3: What is the outside temperature?
Answer: It’s 24 degrees
RECORDING 7
Question 1: Can you please read back the audio?
Answer: Descend and maintain 4000 ft. Altimeter is 2981.

TEC Format

Audio Comprehension in TEC format consists of 2 subsections:

1. Part

  • The Examiner turns her/his back to you to avoid being face to face and plays 2 short recordings for you.
  • Before playing the recordings, the examiner tells you the questions you will be asked.
  • You take notes of those questions and listen to the recording accordingly, then answer the questions when the recording is finished

2. Part

  • An audio recording about aviation is being played. This recording is longer than the recordings in the first part.
  • When the recording is finished, you are asked what is happening in the recording.
  • After summarizing what you understood from the recording, other questions are asked about this recording in order to start discussion about the related subject.

TEC Format - Part B Audio Recording Sample:

Transcription of Recording:

1. Part

RECORDING 1
Question 1: What is the wind direction and speed?
Answer: 220 degrees 13 kt
Question 2: What is the QNH?
Answer: 1011
RECORDING 2
Question 1: What is the frequency for Hong Kong departures?
Answer: 128.35
Question 2: What estimate does VFA give?
Answer: 11:52

2. Part

  1. Could you tell me what you understood from the audio?
  2. Have you ever heard of a similar situation?
  3. Why didn’t the driver stop at the stoplights?
  4. Are you familiar within airport where routes intersect the runway?
  5. What should happen to someone who disregards airport signage?
  6. Do you consider that someone who enters a runway in this way should have their licenses revoked?

TEA Format

Audio Comprehension in TEA format consists of 3 subsections:

TEA Formatı - Part B Audio Recording Sample

Section 2 / Part 2A

  • In this part, 6 short recordings are played for you.
  • You have the right to listen to a recording twice, but if you want to listen to it a second time, you have to ask for it.
  • After each recording, you are asked 2 fixed questions: “What was the message?” and “Who do you think was speaking, a pilot or a controller?”. These questions are already given to you so you don't forget.
  • Since every situation you hear in the recording is important, it is recommended not to skip it.
  • You are given 20 seconds to answer.
Situation 1: The passenger still not calm. Please call security. (A pilot is speaking.)
Situation 2: Could you confirm that your injured passenger has stopped bleeding? (A controller is speaking.)
Situation 3: A heavy storm has caused damaged. We will not be able to take off. (A pilot is speaking.)
Situation 4: Our screens are now working. We can see again. (A controller is speaking.)
Situation 5: What’s happening? An airplane just passed in front of us. (A pilot is speaking.)
Situation 6: Is there lightening in the vicinity? Is a quick weather update available? (A pilot is speaking.)

Section 2 / Part 2B

  • In this section, 4 recordings are played, which are slightly longer than the recordings you heard in Part 2A.
  • You have the right to listen to each recording twice. Paper and pen are provided for you to take notes.
  • In these recordings, a pilot or air traffic controller talks about a problem, tells them what they need, and gives some details.
  • Then the examiner asks you questions.
  • It will be to your advantage to convey the message in as much detail as possible. If you transfer incompletely, it will affect your test score.
Situation 1: We are entering icing conditions. Our anti-icing system is faulty. We would like to descend FL250 as soon as possible to get out of this.
Situation 2: You are entering air space that has been closed due to hot air balloon activity. Turn left to 180 immediately and state your intentions. We do not have a flight plan for you.
Situation 3: We have given the passengers some medication from the unborn medical kit but he doesn’t seem to be responding to it. Can you speak to a doctor?
Situation 4: It looks like we got a flap malfunction. We think we are going to try landing on runway 17 right. But please hold on while we check with the landing distance assumption.

Section 2 / Part 2C

  • In this episode, you listen to 3 short non-routine recordings.
  • After each recording, you are required to ask as many questions as you can about the subject.
  • You are given about 20 seconds to ask the questions.
  • The Examiner also asks you to give advice to the speaker in the recording in order to come to conclusion whether you completely understood the subject or not.
Situation 1: We need some help. The engine started losing power.
Possible Questions:
  • What’s the reason of power loss?
  • Is there a bird strike?
  • What are the meteorological conditions?
  • Are there any thunderstorm, lightning or hail?
  • Do you see any flames or smoke coming out of the engines?
  • Are your other systems such as electrical or hydraulic systems working?
  • Can you maintain altitude and speed?
Examiner’s Question: What advice would you give to this speaker?
Possible Advices:
  • Apply Aviate-Navigate-Communicate.
  • Maintain the control of the aircraft to fly straight and level.
  • Navigate safely using your displays.
  • Communicate with the ATC, so he/she can give you instructions for a possible emergency landing.
  • Check the Operations Manual and see if you can solve the malfunction.
Situation 2: We have a problem. We need to get the passenger off the plane quickly.
Possible Questions:
  • Why do you need to get the passenger off the airplane?
  • Is there any unlawful interference?
  • Is he/she a terrorist?
  • Is there any hi-jacking situation?
  • Is he/she drunk?
  • Did he/she hurt anybody?
  • Do you need security?
  • Is he/she in the cabin or in the cockpit?
Examiner’s Question: What advice would you give to this speaker?
Possible Advices:
  • Instruct the cabin crew so they can control the situation.
  • Try to speak with the passenger and keep him calm.
  • Don’t let the passenger enter the cockpit.
  • Call the security.
  • Try to keep the other passengers safe.
Situation 3: We have a situation. We couldn’t put out the fire.
Possible Questions:
  • Where is the fire exactly?
  • Is it an engine fire or is the fire in the cabin or the cargo compartment?
  • Have you used all possible fire extinguishers?
  • Did you use the fire-shut off valve if the fire is in the engine?
  • Is there any smoke in the cabin?
  • Are the passengers affected from this situation?
Examiner’s Question: What advice would you give to this speaker?
Possible Advices:
  • Use all possible fire extinguishers.
  • Use the fire-shut off valve if it is an engine fire.
  • Shut off ventilating airflow if the fire is in the cargo compartment.
  • Evacuate the passengers immediately if you are on the ground.

Prepared by: Zehra Buberoğlu