Use radio frequencies for the special purposes for which they are intended. A single frequency may be used for more than one function except as follows:
TERMINAL
When combining positions in the tower, do not use ground control
frequency for airborne communications.
NOTE -
Due to the limited number of frequencies assigned to towers for the
ground control function, it is very likely that airborne use of a ground
control frequency could cause interference to other towers or interference
to your aircraft from another tower. When combining these functions, it
is recommended combining them on local control. The ATIS may be used to
specify the desired frequency.
Monitor interphones and assigned radio frequencies continuously.
NOTE -
Although all FAA facilities, including RAPCONs and RATCFs, are required
to monitor all assigned frequencies continuously, USAF facilities may not
monitor all unpublished discrete frequencies.
2-4-3 Pilot Acknowledgment / Readback
a. When issuing clearances or instructions ensure acknowledgment
by the pilot.
NOTE -
Pilots may acknowledge clearances, instructions, or other information
by using "Wilco," "Roger," "Affirmative," or other words or remarks.
REFERENCE -
AIM, Contact Procedures, paragraph 4-2-3.
b. If altitude, heading, or other items are read back by the
pilot, ensure the readback is correct. If incorrect or incomplete, make
corrections as appropriate.
2-4-4 Authorized Interruptions
As necessary, authorize a pilot to interrupt his communications
guard.
NOTE -
Some users have adopted procedures to insure uninterrupted receiving
capability with ATC when a pilot with only one operative communications
radio must interrupt his communications guard because of a safety related
problem requiring airborne communications with his company. In this event,
pilots will request approval to abandon guard on the assigned ATC frequency
for a mutually agreeable time period. Additionally, they will inform controllers
of the NAVAID voice facility and the company frequency they will monitor.
2-4-5 Authorized Transmissions
Transmit only those messages necessary for air traffic control
or otherwise contributing to air safety.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7210.3, Authorized Messages Not Directly Associated With AT Services,
paragraph 3-2-2.
2-4-6 False or Deceptive Communications
Take action to detect, prevent, and report:
a. False, deceptive, or phantom controller communications to
an aircraft or controller. The following shall be accomplished when false
or deceptive communications occur:
1. Correct false information.
2. Broadcast an alert to aircraft operating on all frequencies
within the area where deceptive or phantom transmissions have been received.
EXAMPLE -
Attention all aircraft. False air traffic control instructions have
been received in the area of Long Beach Airport. Exercise extreme caution
on all frequencies and verify instructions."
3. Collect pertinent information regarding the incident.
4. Notify the Area Supervisor of the false, deceptive, or phantom
transmission and report all relevant information pertaining to the incident.
a. Relay operational information to aircraft or aircraft operators
as necessary. Do not agree to handle such messages on a regular basis.
Give the source of any such message you relay.
b. Relay official FAA messages as required.
NOTE -
The FAA Administrator and Deputy Administrator will sometimes use code
phrases to identify themselves in air to ground communications as follows:
Administrator - "Safeair One."
Deputy Administrator - "Safeair Two."
EXAMPLE -
Miami Center, Jetstar One, this is Safeair One, (message)".
c. Relay operational information to military aircraft operating
on, or planning to operate on IR's.
Use the following format for radio communications with an aircraft:
a. Sector/position initial radio contact:
1. Identification of aircraft.
2. Identification of ATC unit.
3. Message (if any).
4. The word "over" if required.
b. Subsequent radio transmissions from the same sector/position
shall use the same format, except the identification of the ATC unit may
be omitted.
TERMINAL: You may omit aircraft identification after initial contact
when conducting the final portion of a radar approach.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Aircraft Identification, paragraph 2-4-20.
2-4-9 Abbreviated Transmissions
Transmissions may be abbreviated as follows:
a. Use the identification prefix and the last 3 digits or letters
of the aircraft identification after communications have been established.
Do not abbreviate similar sounding aircraft identifications or the identification
of an air carrier or other civil aircraft having an FAA authorized call
sign.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Aircraft Identification, paragraph 2-4-20.
b. Omit the facility identification after communication has been
established.
c. Transmit the message immediately after the callup (without
waiting for the aircraft's reply) when the message is short and receipt
is generally assured.
d. Omit the word "over" if the message obviously requires a reply.
2-4-10 Interphone Transmission Priorities
Give priority to interphone transmissions as follows:
a. First priority - Emergency messages including essential information
on aircraft accidents or suspected accidents. After an actual emergency
has passed, give a lower priority to messages relating to that accident.
b. Second priority - Clearances and control instructions.
c. Third priority - Movement and control messages using the following
order of preference when possible:
1. Progress reports.
2. Departure or arrival reports.
3. Flight plans.
d. Fourth priority - Movement messages on VFR aircraft.
Use the words "emergency" or "control" for interrupting lower priority messages when you have an emergency or control message to transmit.
2-4-12 Interphone Message Format
Use the following format for interphone intra/interfacility communications:
a. Both the caller and receiver identify their facility and/or
position in a manner that insures they will not be confused with another
position.
NOTE -
Other means of identifying a position, such as substituting departure
or arrival gate/fix names for position identification, may be used. However,
it must be operationally beneficial, and the procedure fully covered in
a letter of agreement or a facility directive, as appropriate.
EXAMPLE -
Caller - "Albuquerque Center Sixty Three, Amarillo Departure."
Receiver - "Albuquerque Center."
b. Between two facilities which utilize numeric position identification,
the caller must identify both facility and position.
EXAMPLE -
Caller - "Albuquerque Sixty Three, Fort Worth Eighty Two"
c. Caller states the type of coordination to be accomplished
when advantageous. For example, handoff or APREQ.
d. The caller states the message.
e. The receiver states the response to the caller's message followed
by the receiver's operating initials.
f. The caller states his or her operating initials.
Example 1 -
Caller - "Denver High, R Twenty-five."
Receiver - "Denver High."
Caller - "Request direct Denver for Northwest Three Twenty-eight."
Receiver - "Northwest Three Twenty-eight direct Denver approved. H.F."
Caller - "G.M."
Example 2 -
Receiver - "Denver High, go ahead override."
Caller - "R Twenty-five, request direct Denver for Northwest Three
Twenty-eight."
Receiver - "Northwest Three Twenty-eight direct Denver approved. H.F."
Caller - "G.M."
Example 3 -
Caller - ("Bolos" is a departure gate in Houston ARTCC's Sabine sector)
- "Bolos, Houston local."
Receiver - "Bolos."
Caller - "Request Flight Level three five zero for American twenty-five."
Receiver - "American twenty-five Flight Level three five zero approved,
A.C."
Caller - "G.M."
Example 4 -
Caller - "Sector twelve, Ontario Approach, APREQ."
Receiver - "Sector twelve."
Caller - "Cactus Five Forty-Two heading one three zero and climbing
to one four thousand."
Receiver - "Cactus Five Forty-two heading one three zero and climbing
to one four thousand approved. B.N."
Caller - "A.M."
Example 5 -
Caller - "Zanesville, Columbus, seventy-three line, handoff."
Receiver - "Zanesville"
Caller - "Five miles east of Appleton VOR, United Three sixty-six."
Receiver - "United Three sixty-six, radar contact, A.Z."
Caller - "M.E."
g. Identify the interphone voice line on which the call is being
made when two or more such lines are collocated at the receiving operating
position.
EXAMPLE -
"Washington Center, Washington Approach on the fifty seven line"
"Chicago Center, O'Hare Tower handoff on the Departure West line."
h. TERMINAL: The provisions of paragraph 2-4-12 a b c e f g and
paragraph 2-4-13 may be omitted provided:
1. Abbreviated standard coordination procedures are contained
in a facility directive describing the specific conditions and positions
that may utilize an abbreviated interphone message format; and
2. There will be no possibility of misunderstanding which positions
are using the abbreviated procedures.
2-4-13 Interphone Message Termination
Terminate interphone messages with your operating initials.
Use the words or phrases in radiotelephone and interphone communication
as contained in the Pilot/Controller Glossary. The word "heavy" shall be
used as part of the identification of heavy jet aircraft as follows:
TERMINAL: In all communications with or about heavy jet aircraft.
EN ROUTE: The use of the word heavy may be omitted except as
follows:
a. In communications with a terminal facility about heavy jet
operations.
b. In communications with or about heavy jet aircraft with regard
to an airport where the en route center is providing approach control service.
c. In communications with or about heavy jet aircraft when the
separation from a following aircraft may become less than 5 miles by approved
procedure.
d. When issuing traffic advisories.
EXAMPLE -
"United Fifty-eight heavy."
NOTE -
Most airlines will use the word "heavy" following the company prefix
and flight number when establishing communications or when changing frequencies
within a terminal facility's area.
e. When in radio communications with "AIR FORCE ONE" or "AIR
FORCE TWO", do not add the heavy designator to the call sign. State only
the call sign "AIR FORCE ONE/TWO" regardless of the type aircraft.
Emphasize appropriate digits, letters, or similar sounding words
to aid in distinguishing between similar sounding aircraft identifications.
Additionally:
a. Notify each pilot concerned when communicating with aircraft
having similar sounding identifications.
EXAMPLE -
"United Thirty-one United, Miami Center, U.S. Air Thirty-one is also
on this frequency, acknowledge."
"U.S. Air Thirty-one U.S. Air, Miami Center, United Thirty-one is also
on this frequency, acknowledge."
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Aircraft Identification, paragraph 2-4-20.
FAAO 7210.3, Aircraft Identification Problems, paragraph 2-1-12.
b. Notify the area supervisor in charge of any duplicate flight
identification numbers of phonetically similar sounding call signs when
the aircraft are operating simultaneously within the same sector.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7210.3, Aircraft Identification Problems, paragraph 2-1-12.
NOTE -
This is especially important when this occurs on a repetitive, rather
than an isolated, basis.
Use the ICAO pronunciation of numbers and individual letters. (See the ICAO radiotelephony alphabet and pronunciation in TBL 2-4-1).
Table 2-4-1 - ICAO Phonetics
Character Word Pronunciation
0 Zero ZE-RO
1 One WUN
2 Two TOO
3 Three TREE
4 Four FOW-ER
5 Five FIFE
6 Six SIX
7 Seven SEV-EN
8 Eight AIT
9 Nine NIN-ER
A Alfa ALFAH
B Bravo BRAHVOH
C Charlie CHARLEE
D Delta DELLTAH
E Echo ECKOH
F Foxtrot FOKSTROT
G Golf GOLF
H Hotel HOHTELL
I India INDEE AH
J Juliett JEWLEE ETT
K Kilo KEYLOH
L Lima LEEMAH
M Mike MIKE
N November NOVEMBER
O Oscar OSSCAH
P Papa PAHPAH
Q Quebec KEHBECK
R Romeo ROWME OH
S Sierra SEEAIRAH
T Tango TANGGO
U Uniform YOUNEE FORM
V Victor VIKTAH
W Whiskey WISSKEY
X X-ray ECKSRAY
Y Yankee YANGKEY
Z Zulu ZOOLOO
Note: Syllables to be emphasized in pronunciation are in bold face.
State numbers as follows:
a. Serial numbers - The separate digits.
EXAMPLE -
Number Statement
11,495 "One one four niner five."
20,069 "Two zero zero six niner."
b. Altitudes or flight levels:
1. Altitudes - Pronounce each digit in the number of hundreds
or thousands followed by the word "hundred" or "thousand" as appropriate.
EXAMPLE -
Number Statement
10,000 "One zero thousand."
11,000 "One one thousand."
17,900 "One seven thousand niner hundred."
NOTE -
Altitudes may be restated in group form for added clarity if the controller
chooses.
EXAMPLE -
Number Statement
10,000 "Ten thousand."
11,000 "Eleven thousand."
17,900 "Seventeen thousand niner hundred."
2. Flight levels - The words "flight level" followed by the
separate digits of the flight level.
EXAMPLE -
Flight level Statement
180 "Flight level one eight zero"
275 "Flight level two seven five"
3. MDA/DH Altitudes - The separate digits of the MDA/DH altitude
EXAMPLE -
MDA/DH Altitude Statement
1,320 "Minimum descent altitude, one three two zero"
486 "Decision height, four eight six"
c. Time:
1. General time information - The four separate digits of the
hour and minute/s in terms of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
EXAMPLE -
UTC Time (12 hr.) Statement
0715 1:15 a.m. CST "Zero seven one five."
1915 1:15 p.m. CST "One niner one five."
2. Upon request - The four separate digits of the hours and
minute/s in terms of UTC followed by the local standard time equivalent;
or the local time equivalent only. Local time may be based on the 24-hour
clock system, and the word "local" or the time zone equivalent shall be
stated when other than UTC is referenced. The term "ZULU" may be used to
denote UTC.
EXAMPLE -
UTC Time (24 hr.) Time (12 hr) Statement
2230 1430 PST 2:30 p.m. "Two two three zero,
one four three zero, Pacific
or Local." or "Two-thirty P-M."
3. Time check - The word "time" followed by the four separate
digits of the hour and minutes, and nearest quarter minute. Fractions of
a quarter minute less than eight seconds are stated as the preceding quarter
minute; fractions of a quarter minute of eight seconds or more are stated
as succeeding quarter minute.
EXAMPLE -
Time Statement
1415:06 "Time, one four one five."
1415:10 "Time, one four one five and one-quarter."
4. Abbreviated time - The separate digits of the minutes only.
EXAMPLE -
Time Statement
1415 "One five."
1420 "Two zero."
5. Field elevation - The words "field elevation" followed by
the separate digits of the elevation.
EXAMPLE -
Elevation Statement
17 feet "Field elevation, one seven."
817 feet "Field elevation, eight one seven."
2,817 feet "Field elevation, two eight one seven."
d. The number "0" as "zero" except where it is used in approved
"group form" for authorized aircraft call signs, and in stating altitudes.
EXAMPLE -
As Zero As Group
"Field elevation one six zero." "Western five thirty."
"Heading three zero zero." "EMAIR One Ten."
"One zero thousand five hundred." "Ten thousand five hundred."
e. Altimeter setting - The word "altimeter" followed by the separate
digits of the altimeter setting.
EXAMPLE -
Setting Statement
30.01 "Altimeter, three zero zero one."
f. Surface wind - The word "wind" followed by the separate digits
of the indicated wind direction to the nearest 10 degree multiple, the
word "at," and the separate digits of the indicated velocity in knots.
EXAMPLE -
"Wind zero three zero at two five."
"Wind two seven zero at one five gusts three five."
g. Heading - The word "heading" followed by the three separate
digits of the number of degrees, omitting the word "degrees." Use heading
360 degrees to indicate a north heading.
EXAMPLE -
Heading Statement
5 degrees "Heading zero zero five."
30 degrees "Heading zero three zero."
360 degrees "Heading three six zero."
h. Radar beacon codes - The separate digits of the 4 digit code.
EXAMPLE -
Code Statement
1000 "One zero zero zero."
2100 "Two one zero zero."
i. Runways - The word "runway," followed by the separate digits
of the runway designation. For a parallel runway, state the word "left,"
"right," or "center" if the letter "L," "R," or "C" is included in the
designation.
EXAMPLE -
Designation Statement
3 "Runway Three."
8L "Runway Eight Left."
27R "Runway Two Seven Right."
j. Frequencies -
1. The separate digits of the frequency, inserting the word
"point" where the decimal point occurs.
(a) Omit digits after the second digit to the right of
the decimal point.
(b) When the frequency is in the L / MF band, include
the word "kiloHertz."
EXAMPLE -
Frequency Statement
126.55 MHz "One two six point five five."
369.0 MHz "Three six niner point zero."
121.5 MHz "One two one point five."
135.275 MHz "One three five point two seven."
302 kHz "Three zero two kiloHertz."
2. USAF/USN: Local channelization numbers may be used in lieu
of frequencies for locally based aircraft when local procedures are established
to ensure that local aircraft and ATC facilities use the same channelization.
EXAMPLE -
Frequency Statement
275.8 MHz "Local channel one six."
3. Issue MLS/TACAN frequencies by stating the assigned two or
three digit channel number.
EXAMPLE -
"MLS channel five three zero."
"TACAN channel nine seven."
k. Speeds -
1. The separate digits of the speed followed by "knots" except
as required by paragraph 5-7-2, Methods.
EXAMPLE -
Speed Statement
250 "Two five zero knots."
190 "One niner zero knots."
2. The separate digits of the mach number preceded by "mach."
EXAMPLE -
Mach Number Statement
1.5 "Mach one point five."
0.64 "Mach point six four."
0.7 "Mach point seven."
l. Miles - The separate digits of the mileage followed by the
word mile.
EXAMPLE -
"Three zero mile arc east of Nottingham."
"Traffic, one o'clock, two five miles, northbound, DC Eight, flight
level two seven zero."
a. If deemed necessary for clarity, and after stating numbers
as specified in paragraph 2-4-17, controllers may restate numbers using
either group or single-digit form.
EXAMPLE -
"One seven thousand, seventeen thousand."
"Altimeter two niner niner two, twenty nine ninety two"
"One two six point five five, one twenty six point fifty five"
2-4-19 Facility Identification
Identify facilities as follows:
a. Airport traffic control towers - State the name of the facility
followed by the word "tower." Where military and civil airports are located
in the same general area and have similar names, state the name of the
military service followed by the name of the military facility and the
word "tower."
EXAMPLE -
"Columbus Tower."
"Barksdale Tower."
"Navy Jacksonville Tower."
b. Air route traffic control centers - State the name of the
facility followed by the word "center."
c. Approach control facilities, including RAPCONs, RATCFs, and
ARACs - State the name of the facility followed by the word "approach."
Where military and civil facilities are located in the same general area
and have similar names, state the name of the military service followed
by the name of the military facility and the word "approach."
EXAMPLE -
"Denver Approach."
"Griffiss Approach."
"Navy Jacksonville Approach."
d. Functions within a terminal facility - State the name of the
facility followed by the name of the function.
EXAMPLE -
"Boston Departure."
"LaGuardia Clearance Delivery."
"O'Hare Ground."
e. When calling or replying on an interphone line which connects
only two non-VSCS equipped facilities, you may omit the facility name.
EXAMPLE -
"Bradford High, handoff."
f. FAA flight service stations - State the name of the station
followed by the word "radio."
EXAMPLE -
"Altoona Radio."
g. Radar facilities having ASR or PAR but not providing approach
control service - State the name of the facility, followed by the letters
"GCA."
EXAMPLE -
"Corpus Christi GCA."
"Davison GCA."
2-4-20 Aircraft Identification
Use the full identification in reply to aircraft with similar
sounding identifications. For other aircraft, the same identification may
be used in reply that the pilot used in his initial callup except use the
correct identification after communications have been established. Identify
aircraft as follows:
a. U.S. registry aircraft - State one of the following:
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Radio Message Format, paragraph 2-4-8.
FAAO 7110.65, Abbreviated Transmissions, paragraph 2-4-9.
FAAO 7110.65, Emphasis for Clarity, paragraph 2-4-15.
FAAO 7110.65, Numbers Usage, paragraph 2-4-17.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
1. Civil - State the prefix "November" when establishing initial
communications with U.S. registered aircraft followed by the ICAO phonetic
pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration. The
controller may state the aircraft type, the model, the manufacturer's name,
followed by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the
aircraft registration if used by the pilot on the initial or subsequent
call.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
EXAMPLE -
Air traffic controller's initiated call:
"November One Two Three Four Golf."
"November One Two Three Four."
Responding to pilot's initial or subsequent call:
"Jet Commander One Two Three Four Papa."
"Bonanza One Two Three Four Tango."
NOTE -
If aircraft identification becomes a problem when the procedures specified
above are used, the call sign shall be restated after the flight number
of the aircraft involved.
EXAMPLE -
"American Five Twenty - One American."
"Commuter Six Eleven Commuter."
"General Motors Thirty - Seven General Motors."
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7210.3, Aircraft Identification Problems, paragraph 2-1-12
2. Air carrier and other civil aircraft having FAA authorized
call signs - State the call sign followed by the flight number in group
form.
NOTE -
"Group form" is the pronunciation of a series of numbers as the whole
number, or pairs of numbers they represent rather than pronouncing each
separate digit. The use of group form may, however, be negated by four-digit
identifiers or the placement of zeros in the identifier.
EXAMPLE -
"American Fifty-two."
"Delta One Hundred."
"Eastern Metro One Ten."
"General Motors Thirty Fifteen."
"United One Zero One."
"Delta Zero One Zero."
"TWA Ten Zero Four."
NOTE -
Air carrier and other civil aircraft having FAA authorized call signs
may be pronounced using single digits if necessary for clarity.
EXAMPLE -
"United Five One Seven."
"United Five Seven Zero."
3. Air taxi and commercial operators not having FAA authorized
call signs - State the prefix "TANGO" on initial contact, if used by the
pilot, followed by the registration number. The prefix may be dropped in
subsequent communications.
EXAMPLE -
"Tango Mooney Five Five Five Two Quebec."
"Tango November One Two Three Four."
4. Air carrier / taxi ambulance - State the prefix, "Lifeguard,"
if used by the pilot, followed by the call sign and flight number in group
form.
EXAMPLE -
"LIFEGUARD Delta Fifty-one."
5. Civilian air ambulance - State the word "LIFEGUARD" followed
by the numbers/letters of the registration number.
EXAMPLE -
"LIFEGUARD Two Six Four Six."
6. U.S. military - State one of the following:
(a) The service name, followed by the word "copter," when
appropriate, and the last 5 digits of the serial number.
EXAMPLE -
"Navy Five Six Seven One Three."
"Coast Guard Six One Three Two Seven."
"Air Guard One Three Five Eight Six"
"Army Copter Three Two One Seven Six."
NOTE -
If aircraft identification becomes a problem, the procedures reflected
in FAAO 7210.3, Aircraft Identification Problems, Para 2-1-12 will apply.
(b) Special military operations - State one of the following
followed by the last 5 digits of the serial number:
(c) Air evacuation flights - "AIR EVAC," "MARINE AIR EVAC,"
or "NAVY AIR EVAC."
EXAMPLE -
"AIR EVAC One Seven Six Five Two."
(d) Rescue flights - (Service name) "RESCUE."
EXAMPLE -
"Air Force RESCUE Six One Five Seven Niner."
(e) Air Mobility Command - "REACH"
EXAMPLE -
"REACH Seven Eight Five Six Two."
(f) Special Air Mission - "SAM."
EXAMPLE -
"U.S. SAM Niner One Five Six Two."
(g) USAF Contract Aircraft "LOGAIR"
EXAMPLE -
"Logair Seven Five Eight Two Six."
(h) Military tactical and training:
(1) U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Military
District of Washington priority aircraft, and USAF civil disturbance aircraft
- Pronounceable words of 3 to 6 letters followed by a 1 to 5 digit number.
EXAMPLE -
"Paul Two Zero."
"Pat One Five Seven."
"Gaydog Four."
NOTE -
When the "Z" suffix described in FAAO 7110.65, paragraph 2-3-6 is added
to identify aircraft piloted by USAF undergraduate pilots, the call sign
will be limited to a combination of six characters.
(2) Navy or Marine fleet and training command aircraft
- The service name and 2 letters, or a digit and a letter (use letter phonetic
equivalents), followed by 2 or 3 digits.
EXAMPLE -
"Navy Golf Alfa Two One."
"Marine Four Charlie Two Three Six."
(i) NORAD interceptors - An assigned double letter 2-digit
flight number.
EXAMPLE -
"Alfa Kilo One Five."
7. Presidential aircraft and Presidential family aircraft:
(a) When the President is aboard a military aircraft,
state the name of the military service, followed by the word "One."
EXAMPLE -
"Air Force One."
"Army One."
"Marine One."
(b) When the President is aboard a civil aircraft, state
the words "Executive One."
(c) When a member of the President's family is aboard
any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the White House Staff determines
it is necessary, state the words "Executive One Foxtrot."
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Operational Priority, paragraph 2-1-4.
8. Vice Presidential aircraft:
(a) When the Vice President is aboard a military aircraft,
state the name of the military service, followed by the word "Two."
EXAMPLE -
"Air Force Two."
"Army Two."
"Marine Two."
(b) When the Vice President is aboard a civil aircraft,
state the words "Executive Two."
(c) When a member of the Vice President's family is aboard
any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the White House Staff determines
it is necessary, state the words "Executive Two Foxtrot."
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Operational Priority, paragraph 2-1-4.
9. DOT and FAA flights: The following alphanumeric identifiers
and radio/interphone callsigns are established for use in air-ground communications
when the Secretary of Transportation, Deputy Secretary of Transportation,
FAA Administrator or FAA Deputy Administrator have a requirement to identify
themselves. (See Table 2-4-2).
10. Other special flights:
(a) Department of Energy flights - State the letters "R-A-C"
(use phonetic alphabet equivalents) followed by the last 4 separate digits
of the aircraft registration number.
EXAMPLE -
"Romeo Alfa Charlie One Six Five Three."
(b) Flight Inspection of Navigational Aids - State the
call sign "FLIGHT CHECK" followed by the digits of the registration number.
EXAMPLE -
"Flight Check Three Niner Six Five Four."
(c) USAF aircraft engaged in aerial sampling missions
- State the call sign "SAMP" followed by the last three digits of the serial
number.
EXAMPLE -
"Samp Three One Six"
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, SAMP, paragraph 9-3-14.
11. Use a pilot's name in identification of an aircraft only
in special or emergency situations.
b. Foreign registry - State one of the following:
1. Civil - State the aircraft type or the manufacturer's name
followed by the letters/numbers of the aircraft registration, or state
the letters or digits of the aircraft registration or call sign.
EXAMPLE -
"Stationair F L R B."
"C F L R B."
NOTE -
Letters may be spoken individually or phonetically.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
2. Air carrier - The abbreviated name of the operating company
followed by the letters or digits of the registration or call sign.
EXAMPLE -
"Air France F L R L G."
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was 4.}
3. The flight number in group form, or you may use separate
digits if that is the format used by the pilot.
EXAMPLE -
"Scandinavian Sixty-eight."
"Scandinavian Six Eight."
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was 5.}
4. Foreign Military - Except Canada, the name of the country
and the military service followed by the separate digits or letters of
the registration or call sign. Canadian Armed Force aircraft shall be identified
by the word "Canforce" followed by the separate digits of the serial number,
except that the Transport Command of the Canadian Armed Force shall be
identified by the words "Canadian Military" and the Canadian Coast Guard
shall be identified as "Canadian Coast Guard" followed by the separate
digits of the serial number.
EXAMPLE -
"Canforce Five Six Two Seven."
"Brazilian Air Force Five Three Two Seven Six."
2-4-21 Description of Aircraft Types
Except for heavy aircraft, describe aircraft as follows when issuing
traffic information.
a. Military:
1. Military designator, with numbers spoken in group form, or
2. Service and type, or
3. Type only if no confusion or misidentification is likely.
b. Air Carrier:
1. Manufacturer's, model or designator.
2. Add the manufacturer's name, company name or other identifying
features when confusion or misidentification is likely.
EXAMPLE -
"L-Ten-Eleven."
"American MD-Eighty." Seven Thirty-Seven."
"Boeing Seven Fifty-Seven."
NOTE -
Pilots of "interchange" aircraft are expected to inform the tower on
the first radio contact the name of the operating company and trip number
followed by the company name, as displayed on the aircraft, and the aircraft
type.
c. General Aviation and Air Taxi:
1. Manufacturer's model or designator.
2. Manufacturer's name, or add color when considered advantageous.
EXAMPLE -
"Tri-Pacer."
"PA Twenty-two."
"Cessna Four-Oh-One."
"Blue and White King Air."
"Airliner."
"Sikorsky S-Seventy-Six."
d. When issuing traffic information to aircraft following a heavy
jet, specify the word "heavy" before the manufacturer's name and model.
EXAMPLE -
"Heavy L-Ten-Eleven."
"Heavy C-Five."
"Heavy Boeing Seven Forty-seven."
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Traffic Advisories, paragraph 2-1-21.
A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace are pronounced in the ICAO phonetics
for clarification. The term "Class" may be dropped when referring to airspace
in pilot/controller communications.
EXAMPLE -
"Cessna 123 Mike Romeo cleared to enter Bravo airspace"
"Sikorsky 123 Tango Sierra cleared to enter New York Bravo airspace"