Clarity and Brevity
The single, most important aspect of radio
communications is clarity. Brevity is also important,
and contacts should be kept as brief as possible. All
frequencies are shared with others.
Procedural Words and Phrases
The Pilot/Controller Glossary found in the Aeronautical
Information Manual (AIM), published periodically by
the FAA, contains correct language for communication
between a pilot and Air Traffic Control (ATC). Good
phraseology enhances safety and is the mark of a
professional pilot. Following are some common words
and phrases from the AIM.
• “ABEAM—An aircraft is abeam a fix, point, or
object when that fix, point, or object is approximately
90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track.
Abeam indicates a general position rather than a
precise point.”
• “ACKNOWLEDGE—Let me know that you
have received my message.”
• “AFFIRMATIVE—Yes.”
• “CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF—ATC
authorization for an aircraft to depart. It is predicted
on known traffic and known physical airport
conditions.”
• “CLEARED TO LAND—ATC authorization
for an aircraft to land. It is predicted on known traffic
and known physical airport conditions.”
• “EXPEDITE—Used by ATC when prompt
compliance is required to avoid the development of
an imminent situation.”
• “FIX—A geographical position determined by
visual reference to the surface, by reference to one or
more radio NAVAIDs, by celestial plotting, or by
another navigational device” (such as GPS).
• “GO AHEAD—Proceed with your message.
Not to be used for any other purpose.”
• “HAVE NUMBERS—Used by pilots to inform
ATC that they have received runway, wind, and
altimeter information only.”
• “HOW DO YOU HEAR ME?—A question
relating to the quality of the transmission or to determine
how well the transmission is being received.”
• “IMMEDIATELY—Used by ATC when such
action compliance is required to avoid an imminent
situation.”
• “I SAY AGAIN—The message will be
repeated.”
• “LOCAL TRAFFIC—Aircraft operating in the
traffic pattern or within sight of the tower, or aircraft
known to be departing or arriving from flight in local
practice areas, or aircraft executing practice instrument
approaches at the airport.”
• “MAYDAY—The international radiotelephony
distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates
imminent and grave danger and that immediate
assistance is requested.”
• “MINIMUM FUEL—Indicates that an
aircraft’s fuel supply has reached a stage where, upon
reaching the destination, it can accept little or no delay.
This is not an emergency situation but merely indicates
an emergency situation is possible should any undue
delay occur.”
• “NEGATIVE—‘No,’ or ‘permission not
granted,’ or ‘that is not correct.’”
• “OUT—The conversation is ended and no
response is expected.”
• “OVER—My transmission is ended and no
response is expected.”
• “PAN-PAN—The international radiotelephony
urgency signal. When repeated three times, indicates
uncertainty or alert followed by the nature of the
urgency.”
• “PILOT’S DISCRETION—When used in
conjunction with altitude assignments, means that ATC
has offered the pilot the option of starting climb or
descent whenever he wishes and conducting the climb
or descent at any rate he wishes. He may temporarily
level off at any intermediate attitude. However, once he has vacated an attitude, he may not return to that
attitude.”
• “RADIO—(a) A device used for
communication. (b) Used to refer to a flight service
station; e.g., ‘Seattle Radio’ is used to call Seattle
FSS.”
• “READ BACK—Repeat my message back to
me.”
• “REPORT—Used to instruct pilots to advise
ATC of specified information; e.g., ‘Report passing
Hamilton VOR.’”
• “ROGER—I have received all of your last
transmission. It should not be used to answer a
question requiring a yes or no answer.”
• “SAY AGAIN—Used to request a repeat of
the last transmission. Usually specifies transmission
or portion thereof not understood or received; e.g.,
‘Say again all after ABRAM VOR.’”
• “SAY ALTITUDE—Used by ATC to ascertain
an aircraft’s specific altitude/flight level. When the
aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state
the indicated altitude rounded to the nearest 100 feet.”
• “SAY HEADING—Used by ATC to request
an aircraft heading. The pilot should state the actual
heading of the aircraft.”
• “SPEAK SLOWER—Used in verbal
communications as a request to reduce speech rate.”
• “THAT IS CORRECT—The understanding
you have is right.”
• “UNABLE—Indicates inability to comply with
a specific instruction, request, or clearance.”
• “URGENCY—A condition of being concerned
about safety and of requiring timely but not immediate
assistance; a potential distress condition.”
• “VERIFY—Request confirmation of
information; e.g., ‘verify assigned altitude.’”
• “WILCO—I have received your message,
understand it, and will comply with it.”
Jargon, chatter, and CB slang have no place in ATC
communications.
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