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The use of standard phraseology and specific meanings for commonly used words and phrases has
minimized the misunderstandings that occur in ATC communications. The controller MUST have a good
knowledge of basic phraseology in order to communicate with pilots and other facilities. Confusion and/or
misunderstandings could lead to serious situations. ATC human factors research has shown that improper
communication or lack of communications is the leading cause of operational errors and aircraft accidents.
This lesson will help you understand the need for good communications. Basic phraseology,
communication priorities, ATC communications, and coordination procedures will be discussed, as well as
the steps of the position relief briefing.
On an End-of-Lesson Test, and in accordance with FAA Orders 7110.65 and 7110.10,
you will identify:
1. Radio and interphone communications.
2. ICAO phonetics.
3. Numbers usage.
4. Basic phraseology.
5. Coordination procedures.
6. The purpose and steps of the position relief briefing.
Radio frequencies are used only for the specific purpose intended.
A frequency may be used for more than one function, except
Do not use ground control frequency for airborne communication.
A minimum number of frequencies are used to conduct communications.
Interphones and assigned radio frequencies are to be monitored continuously.
Speaker volumes are kept at a level to enable the controller to hear all transmissions.
Authorized transmissions are only those messages necessary for:
Air traffic control or otherwise contributing to air safety.
Safe and efficient use of the National Airspace System (NAS).
Operational information to an aircraft or its company, as requested, when abnormal conditions
necessitates.
Official FAA messages as required.
Pilots may be authorized to interrupt the continuous monitoring of their assigned radio frequency for
safety reasons when:
Requested.
Approved by ATC.
A mutually agreeable time off frequency is established.
NUMBERS
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
ALPHABET
Character 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 HOH-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-AH
T Tango TANG-GO
U Uniform YOU-NEE-FORM
V Victor VIK-TAH
W Whiskey WISS-KEY
X X-ray ECK-SRAY
Y Yankee YAN-GKEY
Z Zulu ZOO-LOO
NUMBERS USAGE
Serial Numbers 7110.65, par. 2-4-17
When communicating a number, state each digit separately and omit any commas.
SERIAL NUMBERS
Number Stated
11,495 One one four niner five
20,069 Two zero zero six niner
Altitudes:Follow each digit in the hundreds or thousands by the word hundred or thousand
ALTITUDES
Number Stated
10,000 One zero thousand
11,000 One one thousand
17,900 One seven thousand niner hundred
ALTITUDES
Number Stated
10,000 Ten thousand
11,000 Eleven thousand
17,900 Seventeen thousand niner hundred
MDA/DH ALTITUDES
MDA/DH Altitude Stated
1,320 Minimum descent altitude, one three two zero.
486 Decision height, four, eight, six
TIME
Time (12 hr.) Time (24 hr.) Stated
1:15 a.m. 0115 Zero one one five
1:15 p.m. 1315 One three one five
2230 (UTC) Two two three zero zulu
2:30 p.m. One four three zero local/Pacific
FIELD ELEVATION
Elevation Stated
17 feet Field elevation, one seven
817 feet Field elevation, eight one seven
2,817 feet Field elevation, two eight one seven
Altimeter Setting: State the word altimeter followed by the digits of the altimeter setting
NOTE: The point is omitted.
ALTIMETER SETTING
Setting Stated
29.92 Altimeter, two niner niner two
30.01 Altimeter, three zero zero one
SURFACE WIND
Encoded as Stated
03025 Wind zero three zero at two five
27015G35 Wind two seven zero at one five gusts three five
Heading are based on 360 degrees and are stated by saying the word heading, followed by the three
separate digits of the number of degrees.
Omit the word degrees.
When the heading is a double digit, precede with zero.
When the heading is a single digit, precede with zero zero.
HEADING
Heading Stated
5 degrees Heading zero zero five
30 degrees Heading zero three zero
360 degrees Heading three six zero
Radar Beacon Code: Assign codes by stating the separate digits of the 4-digit code, preceded by the
word squawk.
FREQUENCIES
Frequency Stated
126.55 One two six point five five
243.0 Two four three point zero
135.275 One three five point two seven
Military aircraft may use local channel numbers in lieu of frequencies for locally-based aircraft when the
local aircraft and ATC use the same channel.
FREQUENCIES
Frequency Stated
275.8 MHz Local channel one two
Issue MLS/TACAN frequencies by stating the assigned two- or three-digit channel number
FREQUENCIES
Frequency Stated
111.1 MLS channel five three zero
114.1 TACAN channel eight eight
Speed 7110.65, par. 2-4-17 State the separate digits of the speed followed by the word knots.
SPEED
Speed Stated
250 Two five zero knots
190 One niner zero knots
When using Mach numbers, use the word MACH followed by the separate digits of the
Mach number.
Insert the word point where the decimal appears.
MACH NUMBER
Mach Number Stated
1.5 Mach one point five
0.64 Mach point six four
0.7 Mach point seven
Miles 7110.65, par. 2-4-17 State the separate digits of the mileage, followed by the word mile or
miles.
MILES
Mileage Stated
30 Three zero miles
45 Four five miles
Numbers Clarification 7110.65, par. 2-4-18 If necessary for clarification, and after stating numbers as
specified in FAA Order 7110.65, par. 2-4-17, controllers may restate numbers using either group or single-
digit form.
NUMBERS CLARIFICATION
Number Single Digit Form Group Form
17,000 One seven thousand Seventeen thousand
(Altitude)
29.92 Altimeter two niner niner Twenty nine ninety two
(Altimeter Setting) two
126.55 One two six point five five One twenty six point fifty
(Frequency) five
Number Pronounced
(Speed) 250
(Frequency) 126.1
(Miles) 30
(Runway) 15
(Heading) 30 degrees
(Wind) 50 degrees 20 knots
(Code) 1200
(Mach) 0.9
(Frequency) 123.255
(Runway) 31C
(Wind) 200 degrees 10 knots
Tower Identification 7110.65, par. 2-4-19 To identify airport traffic control towers, state:
Name of the facility followed by-Word TOWER
TOWER IDENTIFICATION
TULSA
BOSTON
TOWER
TOWER
Approach Controls Identification 7110.65, par. 2-4-19: Approach controls are identified by stating:
Name of the facility followed by- Word APPROACH
APPROACH CONTROL
DENVER
APPROACH
NEW YORK
APPROACH
Military Facilities: Where military and civilian facilities are located in the same central area, state:
Branch of military service followed by-Name of facility followed by-Type of facility
PHRASEOLOGY
NAVY JACKSONVILLE APPROACH
NAVY JACKSONVILLE TOWER
Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) 7110.65, par. 2-4-19: Automated Flight Service Stations
are identified by stating: The name of the station followed by the word RADIO.
Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC): Identify ARTCCs by stating: The name of the
facility followed by the word CENTER
PHRASEOLOGY
OAKLAND CENTER
ATLANTA CENTER
Abbreviated Transmissions 7110.65, par. 2-4-9 : Abbreviated transmissions are used to shorten
aircraft identification. Transmissions may be abbreviated as follows: Use the identification prefix and
the last three digits or letters of the aircraft identification after communications have been established.
Example: Communications have been established with N12345. Aircraft identification can now
be abbreviated to N345.
Do not abbreviate similar-sounding aircraft identifications or the identification of an air carrier or other
civil aircraft having an FAA authorized call sign.
PHRASEOLOGY
SKYLANE ONE FOUR TWO FOUR
Aircraft Model
Air Carrier: For air carrier and other civil aircraft with FAA authorized call signs, state the call sign
followed by the flight numbers in group form.
PHRASEOLOGY
AMERICAN FIFTY-TWO
DELTA ONE HUNDRED
UNITED FIVE SEVENTY
DELTA ONE ZERO ONE
NORTHWEST SEVENTEEN TWENTY-FIVE
If confusion exists when using group numbers, pronounce digits one at a time for clarity.
PHRASEOLOGY
AMERICAN FIVE TWO
DELTA ONE ZERO ZERO
For air taxi and commercial operators not having FAA authorized call signs, state: Prefix TANGO on
initial contact, if used by the pilot, followed by the registration number.
PHRASEOLOGY
TANGO MOONEY ONE FIVE TWO QUEBEC
The prefix may be dropped in subsequent communications. (MOONEY ONE FIVE TWO QUEBEC)
Airborne Ambulance 7110.65, par. 2-4-20 For air carrier/air taxi ambulance, state: Prefix
LIFEGUARD, if used by the pilot, followed by the call sign and flight numbers in group form
(LIFEGUARD DELTA FIFTY-ONE).
For a civilian airborne ambulance, state: The word LIFEGUARD followed by the registration numbers
and letters (LIFEGUARD THREE ZERO ONE ZERO BRAVO)
U.S. Military 7110.65, pars. 2-3-4 and 2-4-20: Military aircraft are identified with prefixes of
abbreviations indicating branch of service and/or type of mission.
For military aircraft, state: The service name followed by the last five digits of the serial number (Copter
when the aircraft is a helicopter and is NOT a Presidential or Vice Presidential flight.) Examples:
A 35542 - Air Force Three Five Five Four Two, VV 32756 - Navy Three Two Seven Five Six,
R 36511 - Army Copter Three Six Five One One.
Special military operations are identified by: The type of mission and/or the special operations, and the call
sign. For special military operations, state: Mission/special operation followed by the last five digits of
the serial number.
PHRASEOLOGY
E50213 - AIR EVAC FIVE ZERO TWO ONE THREE
L65324 - LOGAIR SIX FIVE THREE TWO FOUR
RCH2761 - REACH TWO SEVEN SIX ONE
S43214 - SAM FOUR THREE TWO ONE FOUR
U.S. military and tactical training flights can be identified by using any pronounceable word of three to six
letters followed by a one to five digit number.
PHRASEOLOGY
SNOMAN ONE = SNOMAN1
PAT ONE FIVE SEVEN = PAT157
Identify North American Air Defense (NORAD) interceptors by an assigned double letter and a two-digit
flight number (Example: Hotel Kilo One Two).
Presidential Aircraft 7110.65, par. 2-4-20: When the President is aboard a military aircraft, state: The
name of the military service followed by the word ONE. When the President is aboard a civil
aircraft, state the words, EXECUTIVE ONE. When the Presidents family is aboard any aircraft,
state the words, EXECUTIVE ONE FOXTROT. (
Vice Presidential aircraft: Use the word TWO. When the Vice Presidential family is on any
aircraft, state the words, EXECUTIVE TWO FOXTROT. (
DOT and FAA Flights 7110.65, par. 2-4-20: Use the following identifiers and call signs for FAA and DOT
officials:
Special Flights: For Department of Energy Flights, state the letters R-A-C (use phonetic alphabet)
followed by the last four separate digits of aircraft registration. Example: ROMEO ALFA CHARLIE
ONE SIX FIVE THREE. State the words FLIGHT CHECK followed by the digits of the
registration number for aircraft making flight inspections of navigational aids (Example: FLIGHT
CHECK THREE NINER SIX.).
Foreign Registry 7110.65, par. 2-4-20: For civil aircraft state the aircraft type or manufacturers name
followed by letters/numbers of aircraft registration, or the letters or digits of aircraft registration or call
signs (Examples: Stationair F-L-R-B. or C-F-L-R-B.)
For foreign air carrier state the abbreviated name of operating company followed by letters or digits of
registration or call sign (Example: AIR FRANCE F-L-R-L-G); or the abbreviated name of
operating company followed by flight number in group form or separate digits if pilot chooses that
format (Examples: Scandinavian Sixty-Eight or Scandinavian Six Eight).
QUESTION: What is the prefix for a domestic general aviation aircraft when
the aircraft type, model name, and/or manufacturers name are unknown?
QUESTION: What is the call sign for a civilian airborne ambulance flight?
QUESTION: What are the letter prefixes for the following military services:
Air Force, Army, and Navy?
A Navigational Aid (NAVAID 7110.65, Glossary) is any visual or electronic device airborne or on the
surface which provides point-to-point guidance information or position data to aircraft in flight.
NAVAID Terms 7110.65, par. 2-5-2: Radials of VOR/VORTAC/TACAN: State name of NAVAID,
followed by the separate digits of the radial, followed by the word RADIAL.
PHRASEOLOGY
TULSA THREE ONE ZERO RADIAL
Arcs of VOR-DME/VORTAC/TACAN/MLS
State distance in miles from NAVAID, followed by
Words MILE ARC, followed by
Direction from NAVAID, followed by
Word OF, followed by
Name of NAVAID
PHRASEOLOGY
TWO ZERO MILE ARC SOUTH OF TULSA
NAVAID fixes (7110.65, par. 2-5-3) are determined by reference to a radial and distance from one of the
following:
VOR-DME
VORTAC
TACAN
ILS-DME
MLS
When a fix is not named, state the name of the:NAVAID, followed by the radial and distance from
NAVAID, followed by the words MILE FIX.
PHRASEOLOGY
APPLETON ZERO FIVE ZERO RADIAL THREE SEVEN MILE FIX
If the fix is charted, state the name of the fix (If clarification is needed, use specific terms to describe a
fix.).
PHRASEOLOGY
PRYOR INTERSECTION
WILL ROGERS VORTAC
DAVIS V-O-R
BRAVO D-M-E FIX
QUESTION: What letter precedes the airway number for a VOR airway? How
is it pronounced?
MESSAGE PRIORITY
DELTA TWELVE, MAINTAIN
EMERGENCIES ONE ZERO THOUSAND.
1st
2nd
3rd
MOVEMENT & CONTROL
MESSAGES
AFSS
Interrupt lower priority messages (7110.65, par. 2-4-11) when you have an emergency or control message
to transmit, use the words below for priority interruption:
Emergency
Control
Intrafacility coordination - the exchange of information between positions within a facility (Occurs in all
three options: En Route, Terminal (Approach Control and Tower), and Automated Flight Service
Station).
TYPES OF COORDINATION
Radar Handoffs
Radar Point Outs
Transfer of Control
Runway Crossings
Forwarding Flight Plan Information
Arrival Information (i.e., inbounds)
Clearances and Instructions
B.
AAL12
170
DAL34
WEATHER
111 H-
H-02
170
113 270
Point out and
A. Control
Instructions
Radar Handoff
and Frequency
Change
C.
A handoff is an action taken to transfer radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another
controller when the aircraft will enter the receiving controllers airspace and radio communications will be
transferred.
A point out is a physical or automated action to transfer identification of an aircraft from one controller to
another if the aircraft will or may enter the airspace of another controller, but radio communications will
not be transferred.
To the extent possible, communications transfer should be made when the handoff has been
accepted.
Transfer of control is the action whereby the responsibility for separation of an aircraft is transferred from
one controller to another. Transfer of control may be accomplished upon completion of a radar handoff and
frequency change to the receiving controller as specified in a Facility Directive or Letter of Agreement, and
at a prescribed or coordinated location, time, fix or altitude.
Runway Crossings 7110.65, par. 3-1-3: Ground control shall coordinate and obtain approval
from local control before authorizing an aircraft or a vehicle to cross or use any portion of an active
runway. This coordination shall include the point/intersection at the runway where the operation will
occur. The ground controller shall advise the local controller when the coordinated runway operation
is completed.
Forwarding Flight Plan Information 7110.65, par. 2-2-2: Flight plan information distributed and
shared by all involved facilities is essential coordination. The forwarding of flight plan information to the
appropriate ATC facility, AFSS, base operations, etc. is normally accomplished by computer. Manual
passage is required when the computer is not in service.
Arrival Information 7110.65, pars. 4-7-7 and 4-7-12: En route and terminal facilities shall
coordinate and forward the following information to nonapproach control towers soon enough to
permit adjustment of traffic flow, or to AFSSs soon enough to provide local airport advisories:
ARRIVAL INFORMATION FORWARDED TO NONAPPROACH
CONTROL TOWERS OR AFSSs
1. Aircraft Identification
2. Type of Aircraft
3. Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
4. Type of Approach
En route (7110.65, par. 4-7-6) shall forward the following information to approach control facilities before
transfer of control jurisdiction.
Equipment Suffixes 7110.65, par. 2-3-7: When forwarding this information, state the aircraft type,
followed by the word slant and the appropriate phonetic letter equivalent of the suffix.
3. Facility Directives
DAL442 AA L242
26C 270C
015 440 004 420
A15736
240C
015 330
1. Automated
DAL442 AAL242
26C 270C
015 440 004 420
A15736
240C
015 330
2. Interphone
4. Verbal/Physical
The most commonly used methods of coordination are: Automated (computer), Interphone (primary
method-same principle as telephone), Facility Directives/Letters of Agreements (LOAs), Noninterphone
communication, and Verbal/physical (
ATC COMMUNICATION: The ATC team concept not only exists between sectors,
but includes other centers, approach controls, towers, Automated Flight Service Stations, and military ATC
facilities.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR ATC TEAMS
AFSS
As sectors work as teams,
so do facilities
Weather
briefing
TOWER
En Route
clearance
ARTCC
Effective teams have good communications, a constructive climate, and shared workload.
Communication skills for ATC teams include the ability to:
Communicate effectively
Resolve conflict
Manage team resources
COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR ATC TEAMS
DELTA TWENTY-SIX, I MEAN TWO,
Ill take the handoffs
HOLD AT THE... NO, I MEAN TURN
RIGHT ABOUT SIX ZERO, NEVER
and you take the
MIND, JUST GO STRAIGHT pointouts, okay?
Okay.
Thats not
very effective.
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
RESOLVE CONFLICT
MANAGE
TEAM
RESOURCES
Speak
Explicitly! Specifically!
Clearly! Slowly!
ATC teams with good communication skills:
Talk to each other about:
What they are thinking and planning.
What they are doing or have done.
Example: Position Relief Briefing
Give each other enough specific information to avoid confusion.
Communicate through careful strip marking.
Speak up when needed (e.g., point out something, ask a teammate to do something, ask a question
for clarification.)
Speak:
Explicitly and specifically (e.g., use aircraft call signs)
Clearly and slowly enough to be understood.
Get confirmation that their messages are understood.
Relay critical information quickly.
BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
Some barriers to good communication are:
PUBLICATIONS PERSONAL
RESOURCES
knowledge
experience
judgment
planning
decision-making
skills
Preview the The first step in the position relief briefing process is to preview the situation.
Position
Verbal Briefing is the second step in the position relief briefing process.
VERBAL BRIEFING
Relieving Specialist Specialist Being Relieved
1. Brief the relieving specialist on the
abnormal status of items not listed
on the SIA(s) as well as on any items
of special interest calling for verbal
explanation or additional discussion.
2. Brief on traffic if applicable.
3. Ask questions necessary to ensure a
complete understanding of the
operational situation.
4. Completely answer any questions
asked.
Assumption of Position Responsibility is the third step in the position relief briefing process.
ASSUMPTION OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITY
Relieving Specialist Specialist Being Relieved
1. Make a statement or otherwise
indicate to the specialist being
relieved that position responsibility
has been assumed.
2. Release the position to the relieving
specialist.
Review the Position is the fourth step in the position relief briefing process.
RESPONSE ITEM
After the relieving specialist has assumed responsibility for the sector, the relieved
specialist
RESPONSE ITEM
Before receiving a verbal briefing from the specialist being relieved, the relieving
specialist shall
RESPONSE ITEM
Helicopters
WORD/PHRASE MEANING
ACKNOWLEDGE Let me know that you have received and understood my message.
ATC CLEARS Used to prefix an ATC clearance when it is relayed to an aircraft by other
than an air traffic controller.
ATC REQUESTS Used to prefix an ATC request when it is relayed to an aircraft by other
than an air traffic controller.
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF ATC authorization for an aircraft to depart. It is predicated on known
traffic and known physical airport conditions.
CORRECTION An error has been made in the transmission and the correct version
follows.
GO AHEAD Proceed with your message. Not to be used for any other purpose.
HOW DO YOU HEAR ME? A question relating to the quality of the transmission or to determine how
well the transmission is being received.
Means the controller or pilot must pause for a few seconds, usually to
STAND BY attend to other duties of a higher priority. Also means to wait as in
stand by for clearance. If a delay is lengthy, the caller should re-
establish contact.
WILCO I have received your message, understand it, and will comply with it.