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Standardized phraseology must be used in all situations where it is prescribed. Some important reminders will be reviewed, followed by practical examples of typical communications that may be encountered by pilots and air traffic controllers during flight operations.
| Letter | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | AL FAH |
| B | Bravo | BRAH VOH |
| C | Charlie | CHAR LEE |
| D | Delta | DELL TAH |
| E | Echo | ECK OH |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS TROT |
| G | Golf | GOLF |
| H | Hotel | HO TELL |
| I | India | IN DEE AH |
| J | Juliett | JEW LEE ETT |
| K | Kilo | KEY LOH |
| L | Lima | LEE MAH |
| M | Mike | MIKE |
| N | November | NO VEM BER |
| O | Oscar | OSS CAH |
| P | Papa | PAH PAH |
| Q | Quebec | KEH BECK |
| R | Romeo | ROW ME OH |
| S | Sierra | SEE AIR RAH |
| T | Tango | TANG GO |
| U | Uniform | YOU NEE FORM |
| V | Victor | VIK TAH |
| W | Whiskey | WISS KEY |
| X | X-ray | ECKS RAY |
| Y | Yankee | YANG KEY |
| Z | Zulu | ZOO LOO |
| Numeral or numeral element | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| 0 | ZE-RO |
| 1 | WUN |
| 2 | TOO |
| 3 | TREE |
| 4 | FOW-er |
| 5 | FIFE |
| 6 | SIX |
| 7 | SEV-en |
| 8 | AIT |
| 9 | NIN-er |
| 10 | TEN |
| 11 | EE-LE-VEN |
| 12 | TWELF |
| Decimal | DAY-SEE-MAL |
| Hundred | HUN-dred |
| Thousand | TOU-SAND |
| Category | Transmission rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft call signs, headings, wind & runway | Pronounce each digit separately | Heading TWO SEVEN ZERO |
| Flight levels | Pronounce each digit separately, except whole hundreds | Flight Level FOUR HUNDRED |
| Altimeter settings | Pronounce each digit separately, except 1000 hPa | QNH ONE THOUSAND |
| Transponder codes | Pronounce each digit separately; if only whole thousands, say digit + THOUSAND | SQUAWK FOUR THOUSAND |
| Relative bearing (12-hour clock) | Pronounce digits together | TEN O'CLOCK |
| Decimal numbers | Pronounce each digit; insert DECIMAL at the correct place | ONE TWO DECIMAL FIVE |
| VHF numerical designator | Use all six digits, except if 5th & 6th digits are zero → use first four digits only | ONE TWO THREE DECIMAL FIVE |
| Other numbers | Pronounce each digit separately; whole hundreds/thousands: digit + HUNDRED/THOUSAND; combination: thousands digit + THOUSAND, hundreds digit + HUNDRED | ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED |
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACKNOWLEDGE | Let me know that you have received and understood this message. |
| AFFIRM | Yes. |
| APPROVED | Permission for proposed action granted. |
| BREAK | I hereby indicate the separation between portions of the message. |
| BREAK BREAK | I hereby indicate the separation between messages transmitted to different aircraft in a very busy environment. |
| CANCEL | Annul the previously transmitted clearance. |
| CHECK | Examine a system or procedure. |
| CLEARED | Authorised to proceed under the conditions specified. |
| CONFIRM | I request verification of: (clearance, instruction, action, information). |
| CONTACT | Establish communications with… |
| CORRECT | True or Accurate. |
| CORRECTION | An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is… |
| DISREGARD | Ignore. |
| HOW DO YOU READ | What is the readability of my transmission? |
| I SAY AGAIN | I repeat for clarity or emphasis. |
| MAINTAIN | Continue in accordance with the condition(s) specified or in its literal sense. |
| MONITOR | Listen out on (frequency). |
| NEGATIVE | No or Permission not granted or That is not correct or Not capable. |
| OVER | My transmission is ended, and I expect a response from you. |
| OUT | This exchange of transmissions is ended and no response is expected. |
| READ BACK | Repeat all, or the specified part, of this message back to me exactly as received. |
| RECLEARED | A change has been made to your last clearance and this new clearance supersedes your previous clearance or part thereof. |
| REPORT | Pass me the following information… |
| REQUEST | I should like to know… or I wish to obtain… |
| ROGER | I have received all of your last transmission. |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat all, or the following part, of your last transmission. |
| SPEAK SLOWER | Reduce your rate of speech. |
| STANDBY | Wait and I will call you. |
| UNABLE | I cannot comply with your request, instruction, or clearance. |
| WILCO | Abbreviation for "will comply": I understand your message and will comply with it. |
| WORDS TWICE | As a request: Communication is difficult. Please send every word, or group of words, twice. As information: Since communication is difficult, every word, or group of words, in this message will be sent twice. |
| Verb tense / form | Usage in phraseology | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Imperative | ATC instructions | Climb to flight level 350 |
| Future (will) | Confirmation of instruction or intention | Will contact you at 8000 feet |
| Present continuous | Ongoing action | Taxiing to runway 27 |
| Others | Declarations, Information | OO-ABX departed at 45 |
For the scenarios below, the aircraft is assumed to be OO-ABX.
City Ground, OO-ABX, radio check on 121.805
OO-ABX, City Ground, reading you five
| Readability Scale |
|---|
| 1 – Unreadable |
| 2 – Readable now and then |
| 3 – Readable but with difficulty |
| 4 – Readable |
| 5 – Perfectly readable |
City Radio, OO-ABX, request departure information
OO-ABX, City Radio, runway 27, wind 220 degrees 6 knots, QNH 1011, temperature 8, dew point 5, transition level 45
Runway 27, QNH 1011, OO-ABX
City Delivery, OO-ABX, stand B1, request IFR clearance
OO-ABX, City Delivery, cleared omnidirectional departure, runway 27, at 800 feet right turn heading 310, climb to flight level 80, squawk 3456
Cleared omnidirectional departure, runway 27, at 800 feet right turn heading 310, climb to flight level 80, squawk 3456, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, readback correct
City Ground, OO-ABX, stand B1, with information M, request start-up
OO-ABX, City Ground, start-up approved
Start-up approved, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, request pushback
OO-ABX, pushback approved
Pushback approved, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, QNH 1011, request taxi
OO-ABX, taxi to holding point S5, runway 27
Taxi to holding point S5, runway 27, OO-ABX
City Tower, OO-ABX, at holding point S5, ready for departure
OO-ABX, City Tower, behind landing Airbus A320, line up runway 27, behind
Behind landing Airbus 320, line up runway 27, behind, OO-ABX
| Conditional clearances consist of: |
|---|
| Aircraft call sign |
| Condition |
| Clearance |
| Reiteration of the condition |
OO-ABX, wind 220 degrees 6 knots, runway 27, cleared for take-off
Runway 27, cleared for take-off, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, contact City Approach on 133.130
Contact City Approach on 133.130, OO-ABX
City Approach, OO-ABX, passing 4000 feet, climbing to flight level 80
OO-ABX, City Approach, climb to flight level 200
Climb to flight level 200, OO-ABX
| Required elements in the initial call after changing communication channel: |
|---|
| ATS unit |
| Aircraft call sign |
| Level information (current level, including any levels being passed and cleared levels) |
| Speed (if assigned by ATC) |
Western Control, OO-ABX, direct WAYPO, flight level 200
OO-ABX, after WAYPO, proceed via route B3
After WAYPO, proceed via route B3, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, WESTI, 23, flight level 200, speed 250 knots
OO-ABX, roger
| Mandatory elements in the position report: |
|---|
| Aircraft call sign |
| Position |
| Time |
| Speed (if assigned by ATC) |
City Approach, OO-ABX, with information K, flight level 200
OO-ABX, City Approach, descend to flight level 100, hold at NAVIX, inbound track 160 degrees, left-hand pattern, outbound time 1 minute, expected approach time 10
Descend to flight level 100, will hold at NAVIX, inbound track 160 degrees, left-hand pattern, outbound time 1 minute, expected approach time 10, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, descend 3000 feet, QNH 1009, cleared NAVIX 7Y arrival
Descend 3000 feet, QNH 1009, cleared NAVIX 7Y arrival, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, cleared ILS approach runway 04, circle to land runway 22
Cleared ILS approach runway 04, circle to land runway 22, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, contact City Tower on 118.180
Contact City Tower on 118.180, OO-ABX
City Tower, OO-ABX, established on the ILS runway 04, circle to runway 22
OO-ABX, report when commencing circling manoeuvre
Wilco, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, commencing circling manoeuvre
OO-ABX, report final runway 22
Will report final runway 22, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, final runway 22
OO-ABX, wind 210 degrees 5 knots, runway 22, cleared to land
Runway 22, cleared to land, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, vacate runway 22 via N2, taxi approved to stand B5 via taxiway A, monitor City Ground on 121.980
Vacate runway 22 via N2, taxi approved to stand B5 via taxiway A, monitor City Ground on 121.980, OO-ABX
Aircraft has not commenced take-off roll:
OO-ABX, hold position, cancel take-off, I say again cancel take-off due to vehicle on the runway
Holding, OO-ABX
Aircraft has commenced take-off roll:
OO-ABX, stop immediately, OO-ABX, stop immediately
Stopping, OO-ABX
Controller initiated:
OO-ABX, go around, I say again, go around, traffic on runway
Going around, OO-ABX
Pilot initiated:
OO-ABX, going around
OO-ABX, roger, climb 3000 feet, left turn heading 190
Climb 3000 feet, left turn heading 190, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, hold short of intersection B2
Holding short of intersection B2, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, cross runway 27 at B2, taxi to holding point C1, runway 19
Cross runway 27 at B2, taxi to holding point C1, runway 19, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, enter and backtrack runway 19 to line up at N5
Enter and backtrack runway 19 to line up at N5, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, advise able to accept visual departure, direct to ESTNA, flight level 80
Affirm, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, cleared visual departure, runway 27, after departure turn right direct ESTNA, climb to flight level 80, maintain visual reference until passing altitude 4000 feet
Cleared visual departure runway 27, after departure right turn direct ESTNA, climb to flight level 80, maintain visual reference until passing 4000 feet, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, request visual approach runway 10
OO-ABX, have you visual contact on preceding traffic Airbus 320 ?
Affirm, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, cleared visual approach runway 10, maintain own separation from preceding Airbus 320
Cleared visual approach runway 10, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, turn left immediately, heading 290 to avoid traffic, 2 o'clock, 6 miles, crossing right to left, 500 feet below
Turning left, heading 290, OO-ABX
If an RA is causing departure from the ATC clearance:
OO-ABX, TCAS RA
OO-ABX, roger
OO-ABX, clear of conflict, returning to flight level 100
OO-ABX, roger
OO-ABX, flight level 100 resumed
OO-ABX, roger
OO-ABX, cancel my IFR flight plan
OO-ABX, IFR flight plan cancelled at 40, you are now VFR, squawk 7000
Squawk 7000, OO-ABX
City Approach, OO-ABX, request IFR clearance as filed
OO-ABX, cleared to ESTNA, climb to flight level 80, squawk 3456
Cleared to ESTNA, climb to FL80, squawk 3456, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, IFR flight plan activated at 40
IFR flight plan activated at 40, OO-ABX
City Ground, OO-ABX, at the aeroclub parking, with information T, VFR to City2 via exit point NW, 3 POB, request taxi
OO-ABX, City Ground, taxi to holding point B1, runway 27, QNH 990
Taxi to holding point B1, runway 27, QNH 990, OO-ABX
City2 Information, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, City2 Information
OO-ABX, C172, VFR from City1 to City4, 15 miles south of City2, 3000 feet, City3 55, request flight information service
OO-ABX, roger, no reported traffic, regional QHN 990
Regional QHN 990, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, traffic 10 o'clock 6 miles northbound at 2500 feet
Looking out, OO-ABX
City Tower, OO-ABX, with information P, VFR from City2, 5 miles south of SE at 2000 feet, request landing instructions
OO-ABX, City Tower, proceed SE, SA, left-hand downwind runway 25, QNH 1019, report SA
Proceed SE, SA, left-hand downwind runway 25, QNH 1019, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, passing SA
OO-ABX, report left-hand downwind runway 25
Will report left-hand downwind runway 25, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, left-hand downwind runway 25
OO-ABX, report left-base
Willco, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, left-base
OO-ABX, report final runway 25
Will report final runway 25, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, final runway 25
OO-ABX, wind 200 degrees 10 knots, cleared to land runway 25
Cleared to land runway 25, OO-ABX
Departure:
City Ground, OO-ABX, at aeroclub parking, with information T, request special VFR departure to S
OO-ABX, City Ground, special VFR departure to S approved, not above altitude 2000 feet, report ready for taxi
Special VFR approved, not above 2000 feet, wilco, OO-ABX
Transit:
City Tower, OO-ABX, with information Bravo, request special VFR transit from E to W
OO-ABX, City Tower, special VFR transit approved, enter CTR via reporting point E, not above altitude 2000 feet, QNH 990, report E
Special VFR transit approved, not above 2000 feet, QNH 990, will report E, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, overhead E
OO-ABX, continue special VFR transit westbound, report W
Continuing westbound, will report W, OO-ABX
OO-ABX, overhead W
OO-ABX, roger, frequency change approved
Frequency change approved, OO-ABX
Arrival:
City Tower, OO-ABX, with information C, request special VFR entry from S for landing at City
OO-ABX, City Tower, special VFR entry approved, enter CTR via S, not above altitude 1500 feet, QNH 990, report S
Special VFR entry approved, not above 1500 feet, QNH 990, will report S, OO-ABX
Taxi and departure:
City radio, OO-ABX, taxiing runway 20
City radio, OO-ABX, lining up for departure runway 20
City radio, OO-ABX, airborne departing south
Arrival:
City radio, OO-ABX, overhead 2000 feet, joining right-hand downwind runway 20
City radio, OO-ABX, right-hand downwind runway 20
City radio, OO-ABX, right-base runway 20
City radio, OO-ABX, final runway 20
Activating:
OO-ABX, request activate flight plan. OO-ABX departed City1 for City2 at 27
OO-ABX, departure time 27, flight plan activated
Closing:
OO-ABX, request close flight plan. OO-ABX arrived City2 at 50
OO-ABX, arrival time 50, flight plan closed
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, City Approach, OO-ABX, unlawful interference on board. We have injured passengers, and the attackers are in the rear section of the aircraft. Request priority landing. Position 25 miles east of City, flight level 100, heading 280
OO-ABX, roger MAYDAY. Continue heading 280. Expect radar vectors for ILS runway 27 at City. Advise if able to maintain present altitude.
Continuing heading 280. Able to maintain flight level 100. OO-ABX
| Structure: |
|---|
| 1 – the distress or urgency signal — "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" for distress — "PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN" for urgency |
| 2 – the name of the ATS unit being called |
| 3 – the identification of the aircraft |
| 4 – the nature of the distress or urgency |
| 5 – the intention of the pilot-in-command |
| 6 – present position, level and heading |
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