Questions tagged [phraseology]
Questions about standard words and phrases used by pilots and ATC in radio communications
107
questions
2
votes
2answers
856 views
What is the correct way for pilots to say times?
While listening to Air Crash Investigation, the pilots used 24 hour format of time in a different way than we do.
Eg.: 07:57 hrs would be said as o-seven-five-seven hours (which makes it a little ...
2
votes
1answer
186 views
Is there an order for the instructions of a go-around?
Scenario: Aircraft on final is approaching the threshold. A departing aircraft is slow to roll and ATC must issue a go-around instruction.
ATC: PULL UP AND GO AROUND. TURN LEFT HEADING 360 MAINTAIN ...
2
votes
0answers
141 views
Is “margin final” an ATC instruction in USA?
I was south-east of the airport and the active runway was 24. The ATC said, "Make straight in and remain south." And then he said, "Margin final, cleared [to] land."
What is margin final? I'm an ...
3
votes
2answers
168 views
How do I request a touch and go and then remain closed traffic?
When I first contact a tower to request touch-and-go, if I want to remain closed traffic after the touch-and-go, can I say
'...tower, call sign, location, inbound for touch-and-go and remain closed ...
6
votes
2answers
321 views
Are there different sub-types of a mayday call and do pilots use them when declaring emergencies?
I was reading this pilot's quote from the Northwest Airlines Flight 85 incident:
"This was a classic application of CRM. We were blessed and lucky that
we had full flight crew augmentation. We ...
2
votes
2answers
303 views
What is the proper ICAO phraseology to activate a flight plan?
OK, so you have a flight plan filed (over internet, phone, company or however), go to the aircraft and get in the cockpit. So you call the controller and request IFR or VFR as appropriate.
What is ...
2
votes
2answers
293 views
Is any readback required when ATC uses the phrase “RADAR CONTACT”? [duplicate]
As the title says, is a readback required? I've heard some people say that it's not required, while some others say we should readback our call sign only. Some even say just push the transmission knob ...
4
votes
3answers
287 views
What is the meaning of “Steer 1-2-0” in WWII texts?
I am reading some texts about WWII and English operators tell the pilots to "Steer 1-2-0". Can anyone help with the meaning of 'steer' here? Is it a synonym of 'direction', 'heading' or 'vector'?
2
votes
1answer
175 views
How to correctly interpret the taxi procedures in ICAO Doc 4444?
I have a question to ICAO Doc4444, Chapter 12.3.4.7, Taxi procedures for departure, c).
My question is how to interpret the following, knowing that words in parentheses are mandatory, and words in ...
6
votes
1answer
206 views
Why would ATC issue a takeoff clearance and also tell the same aircraft to maintain visual separation at the same time?
I heard this from the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport tower years ago on a sunny and hot day.
Is it because the controller is able to take off aircraft more quickly by putting the responsibility on pilots ...
7
votes
2answers
756 views
What does “<aircraft type> X miles in trail, runway 25R cleared to land” mean?
I was listening to the LiveATC Phoenix North Tower feed as he was clearing aircraft to land. He said something like "Southwest fifteen sixty five, Phoenix Tower, (aircraft type), X miles in trail, ...
0
votes
2answers
521 views
When is 'heavy' used in callsign?
I have heared at ATC communication that some aircraft uses a heavy word in the call sign.
What does heavy means?
When it is used?
Is it used when aircraft is heavier than 200-300 tons?
1
vote
2answers
330 views
What is the correct phraseology to request a climb?
If you'd like to request a climb to a higher flight level while cruising, which do you think is a more proper way to request it:
Request to climb FL350
Request climb FL350
I know they have zero ...
5
votes
2answers
797 views
How unusual were MH370's final ATC exchanges?
There are 2 noteworthy occurrences in the ATC radio transcript within just minutes of a 3rd noteworthy, quite unprecedented occurrence in aviation history:
At 01:07:55 MH370 unnecessarily reported ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Are the ICAO phonetic numbers used anywhere?
I ran across a table of ICAO (NATO) approved phonetic number pronunciations. As early as I can remember (50+yrs) in the United States "nin-er" is the only one I ever remember hearing in aviation and I ...
15
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the correct phraseology for "runway 03 R”?
What phraseology is normally used for "runway 03 R" by air-traffic control and pilots?
A couple of possible options I came up with:
runway zero three R
runway three R
runway zero three right
runway ...
8
votes
1answer
285 views
How do I properly report sighting a drone or hobby UAV to ATC?
How would one go about reporting a drone (hobby UAV) sighted in the airspace of an airport on frequency, specifically to Tower?
For example: I am doing patterns around the airport when to the ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
How does ATC ask a pilot to resume flying a published SID / STAR? [duplicate]
Let's say that you are cleared for and are flying the ZZOOO2 departure out of KSAN and you get vectored off of the departure before you complete it.
At some point, ATC wants to put you back onto the ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What does a pilot mean when he tells ATC that he “has the numbers”?
What does "have the numbers" mean when talking to ATC?
5
votes
3answers
351 views
Should I inform ATC about minor deviations to maintain VFR while on practice instrument approaches?
When talking to approach control for the purpose of performing practice instrument approaches in VMC with a safety pilot, the pilot (and safety pilot) is required to "maintain VFR." However, the pilot ...
4
votes
1answer
299 views
How far are shortened replies to ATC allowed to go?
Pilots often use non-standard-phraseology for readbacks. Some examples:
ATC: DLM, switch to tower, 121.2
P: tower, for DLM
or
ATC: DLM, identified, climb via the RIDA9 departure
P: ...
1
vote
3answers
508 views
What is the ATC phraseology to request a parallel track?
What is the correct phraseology to request a parallel track due to weather for example?
Something like:
OE-DLM, request parallel track to the east, 2 nm
Background: I am asking for non-airline ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
What does it mean when ATC says “altitude indicates”?
I've noticed that ATC sometimes calls out traffic (a traffic advisory?) to aircraft using the "altitude indicates" phraseology, and sometimes a specific altitude is given without the phrase "altitude ...
4
votes
1answer
481 views
Why is “LINING UP” used as the proper response to a “conditional” line-up instruction?
This is a list of the ICAO's standard phraseologies used for preparation for takeoff. I don't understand why "lining up" is (recommended to be) used as a response to a conditional line-up instruction. ...
1
vote
3answers
288 views
Official way for tower to address all aircraft on frequency for new ATIS? [duplicate]
When there's new ATIS info available and the altimiter setting has changed, what's the official phraseology for making the announcement to all the aircraft on the frequency? I'm looking in the FAA ATC ...
7
votes
5answers
3k views
What is the correct ATC phraseology in the US for an immediate - no delay takeoff?
Just wondering - what's the correct ATC phraseology for a takeoff where a plane does not stop first after lining up with the runway centerline before starting their takeoff roll?
Redwood five-two-six-...
4
votes
2answers
297 views
Help in decoding this ATC instruction with landing clearance?
I was reading the FAA ATC phraseology document (FAA JO Order 7110.65W) and wanted to see if I could get help on decoding what this phrase meant (from the same document):
“American Two Forty−Five, ...
2
votes
1answer
711 views
“Cancel altitude restriction.” Under ICAO rules, does it cancel all altitude restrictions on a SID or STAR chart?
Let's say there are altitude restrictions at 5000ft, 11000ft, 15000ft, 18000ft on a SID chart. While you were following the SID (under ICAO rules), the Departure tells you "Climb 12000ft, cancel ...
12
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I tell ATC that I don't have a transponder?
If my plane doesn't have a transponder and ATC tells me to squawk some transponder code, how should I respond? Is it just as simple as "I don't have a transponder"?
This is for the United States and ...
1
vote
2answers
434 views
When pilots check in with a different controller, how to reference flight level?
When pilots check in with a different controller after they are handed off, how do they report their current altitude in flight levels if they are in level flight or a climb / descent? I feel like ...
6
votes
1answer
414 views
Why do we say “climb” and not “ascend”?
The term for moving to a lower altitude is "descending." Why, then, is the term for moving to a higher altitude "climbing" and not "ascending"? The latter goes better with the term "descending."
Does ...
1
vote
1answer
189 views
Is there any technical word to be used on Radio Telephony, to say that there is a “body air-shipped”?
A great number of dead bodies are transported by airplanes everyday.
How will pilots report to ATC they are transporting it/them?
12
votes
3answers
409 views
Is “Pull up and be ready” standard phraseology?
I was next in line (making IFR departure) just after a Bonanza departed, with about a dozen aircraft behind me. Tower called my number and said "pull up and be ready". I'm accustomed to "line up and ...
6
votes
3answers
691 views
Does ATC react to pilot position reports?
Following previous questions on position reporting:
When do pilots have to submit position reports?
What are pilot position reports?
Does Air Traffic Control somehow react to pilots submitting ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How should I request flight following when I'm not taking a direct route to my destination?
I want to plan a flight from KMSN - KDAY. My plan avoids the ORD airspace as much as possible, so something like:
KMSN - JVL - KARR - JOT - EON - KRZL - OKK - MIE - KDAY
What would be the ...
28
votes
2answers
12k views
What does “CC (Charlie Charlie)” mean when pilots reply to ATC?
I heard a pilot replied "CC" to ATC instruction.
I can't remember the exact situation, but does anyone knows what it means?
59
votes
4answers
25k views
Why do airplanes use MAYDAY when in danger but ships send SOS?
I thought SOS means "save our souls", but apparently it doesn't.
But ships send SOS when in danger and they used Morse code. Why do airplanes use MAYDAY?
26
votes
1answer
2k views
At a non-towered airport in the US, what should I do if I hear a medevac flight waiting to take off while I'm turning base?
I'm in the left downwind at my favorite non-towered airport. Just while I'm making the turn to base, I hear a radio call on CTAF: "Such-and-such Traffic, Medevac 123, holding short runway 31." They ...
5
votes
2answers
540 views
What does 'given rate' mean?
I was watching this video:
At around 1:28 I heard the controller clear a plane to descend to a level "given rate". I was searching online but couldn't seem to find ...
6
votes
1answer
482 views
When should I use “cross” and “pass” on radio telephony?
Talking about "vertical" plan (altitudes, flight level) and "horizontal" plan (positions, way points), according to the standard phraseology FAA/ICAO, is there any difference, in the usage of, between ...
4
votes
2answers
8k views
What's the difference between Holding Point and Hold Short?
I heard some ATCos requesting pilots to report, on holding point, and also hold short. Is there any difference on them?
16
votes
3answers
3k views
When using the phonetic alphabet, for airways, should we say Uniform or Upper?
Listening some RTs, I heard ATCos reporting airways, for example: UL65, UPPER LIMA 65. But the phonetic alphabet says UNIFORM. Why do they say like this, please? Is there any manual in which we can ...
5
votes
1answer
877 views
What does “With One Minute Weather” Mean?
Yesterday I was listening to LiveATC at McClellan Field (KMCC) since many CAL Fire Tankers are stationed there and there's a lot of activity recently.
As the tankers returned from their bombing runs, ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
How do I say these situations, according to the runway's status?
There is an accident on the runway, for example, the aircraft is disabled on it, so, the runway is_________.
The runway is flooded, or there is oil spill on it, so, the runway is______.
Closed? ...
7
votes
1answer
576 views
How to communicate a circling approach over CTAF?
The FAA ATC job order says:
Circling approach instructions may only be
given for aircraft landing at airports with operational
control towers.
But I could not find a phraseology example that ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
How to request to fly on a flight level, different from the direction, according to the charts?
According to the direction, there are correct FL to fly, but due to weather, or traffic, the pilot would request a different FL, from the chart (according to the direction). Is there any correct ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What's the difference between 'Go Around' and 'Pull Up'?
We use on the standard RT (radio telephony) Go Around. But what's the difference between Go Around and Pull Up?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the call for when an enemy air-to-air missile has been fired?
In a scenario where a large multi-crewed aircraft was being attacked by a fighter that launched an air-to-air missile what would the call be that would alert the pilot that a missile was in the air ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What's the precise meaning of “landing south (north, east, west)” in STARs?
"JetBlue six zero two leaving flight level two one zero descending via the Ivane Two arrival landing south."
Does "landing south" here mean the aircraft will be landing on the runways north to south?
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Can an issued landing clearance be replaced with “continue approach”?
Since the US handles the landing clearance differently, this is limited to Europe (EASA-land).
From Eurocontrol:
Continue Approach
If the runway is obstructed when the aircraft reports ‘final’...
