RTR (Aero)
Radio Telephony Licence
Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence — We One Aviation Academy
RTR (Aero) – Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence
RTR (Aero) is the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence required to operate aircraft radio equipment in Indian airspace. Since 25 June 2025 it is governed by the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025 and administered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, replacing the earlier WPC route.
Last updated: August 19, 2026
Which rules govern RTR (Aero)
The governing instrument is the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025, notified as G.S.R. 413(E) on 25 June 2025 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under sections 10, 11, 19, 30 and 33 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
Rule 2(c) defines “Director General” as the Director General of Civil Aviation. Rule 4 makes the Central Government the authority to grant or extend the certificate and licence. Applications are made to the Director General in the form and manner he specifies (Rule 7).
Rule 3 states the operative prohibition: no person may operate the radio telephone service of an aircraft station on frequencies allocated to the aeronautical mobile or aeronautical mobile-satellite service without holding a valid certificate and licence issued or recognised by the Central Government.
Eligibility
| Requirement | What the Rules say | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 years on the date of application | Rule 6(a) |
| Education | Passed Class X or equivalent from a recognised Board | Rule 6(b) |
| Re-sit after a fail | Not permitted within six weeks of the examination | Rule 6, proviso |
| Non-Indian applicants | Security clearance from the Government of India required | Rule 6, second proviso |
Examination structure
The examination has two components, taken in order. The 2025 Rules replaced the earlier two-part oral format.
| Component | Content | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Written examination | Regulations and procedure; radio principles and practice; radio telephony — syllabus as specified by the Director General | Rule 8(4)(a), 8(5)(i) |
| Practical examination | Radio telephony test conducted over a simulated environment: phonetic alphabet, general radio-telephone procedure, and communications with mobile and base stations | Rule 8(4)(b), 8(5)(ii) |
| Sequence | No applicant may sit the practical until the written examination is passed | Rule 8(4), proviso |
| Validity window | The practical must be passed within three years of passing the written | Rule 8(6) |
The Explanation to Rule 8(5)(ii) lists what the practical expects a candidate to carry out:
- ✓Preparation of messages for transmission
- ✓Exchange of traffic and use of priorities
- ✓Obtaining meteorological information
- ✓Position reporting
- ✓Distress and urgency communications
Exemption from the written examination
Rule 8(4) allows the Director General to exempt three categories of applicant from the written paper:
- ✓A qualified pilot of the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Army or Indian Coast Guard holding the flying experience and competency specified by the Director General
- ✓A holder of a valid Radio Telephone Operator’s (Restricted) Certificate and Licence issued under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency and Licence to Operate Wireless Telegraphy) Rules, 1954
- ✓A holder of a valid Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s Licence, or equivalent, issued by a Commonwealth country or the Philippines
A holder whose certificate was granted before these Rules commenced, and is suspended or subject to pending proceedings, may not sit the examinations until the suspension expires.
Who needs RTR (Aero)
How We One Aviation prepares you
- ✓One-on-one mock viva sessions.
- ✓Daily phraseology drills and script-based simulations.
- ✓Group discussions for confidence building.
- ✓Voice clarity training and callout practice.
- ✓Access to past RTR questions and exam feedback.
Join RTR (Aero) Classes
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Who needs RTR
- ✓ CPL applicants
- ✓ Private pilots (controlled airspace)
- ✓ Foreign licence converters
- ✓ Flight instructors
- ✓ Cadet pilots