What should a pilot NOT do when unsure of an ATC clearance?

What should a pilot NOT do when unsure of an ATC clearance?

• A. Ask for clarification
• B. Silence and wait
• C. Do NOT guess or read back what you think you heard
• D. Guess and proceed

Answer: (C)

When you’re unsure of an ATC clearance, you must not act on guesswork. Guessing or reading back what you think you heard can lead to misinterpretation and an unintended maneuver, which is unsafe. The proper course is to actively seek clarification using standard phrases such as “say again,” “verify,” or “I didn’t hear you,” and to hold your last assigned altitude, heading, and clearance until you have a clear, confirmed instruction. Silence and waiting isn’t a solution either; you should obtain explicit clarification before proceeding. Once the clearance is clear, you would confirm it exactly as understood before taking action.

When you’re unsure of an ATC clearance, you must not act on guesswork. Guessing or reading back what you think you heard can lead to misinterpretation and an unintended maneuver, which is unsafe. The proper course is to actively seek clarification using standard phrases such as “say again,” “verify,” or “I didn’t hear you,” and to hold your last assigned altitude, heading, and clearance until you have a clear, confirmed instruction. Silence and waiting isn’t a solution either; you should obtain explicit clarification before proceeding. Once the clearance is clear, you would confirm it exactly as understood before taking action.