Which statement about SELCAL is true?

Which statement about SELCAL is true?

• A. It is a means of communication between pilots and flight dispatchers
• B. It is used to transmit weather data to air traffic control
• C. It is the main navigation system
• D. It replaces air traffic control

Answer: (A)

SELCAL is a selective calling system used with HF radio that lets a ground station alert a specific aircraft without the crew having to listen to traffic on the whole channel. When a call is made, the system sends a distinctive tone sequence that the aircraft’s SELCAL decoder recognizes, prompting the crew to answer and establish a two-way voice link. This makes communication between pilots and ground personnel, such as flight dispatchers, more efficient because only the intended aircraft is alerted. It does not transmit weather data itself, and it isn’t a navigation system or a replacement for air traffic control. The role is simply to alert and initiate contact with the right aircraft.

SELCAL is a selective calling system used with HF radio that lets a ground station alert a specific aircraft without the crew having to listen to traffic on the whole channel. When a call is made, the system sends a distinctive tone sequence that the aircraft’s SELCAL decoder recognizes, prompting the crew to answer and establish a two-way voice link. This makes communication between pilots and ground personnel, such as flight dispatchers, more efficient because only the intended aircraft is alerted. It does not transmit weather data itself, and it isn’t a navigation system or a replacement for air traffic control. The role is simply to alert and initiate contact with the right aircraft.