Questions tagged [phraseology]
Questions about standard words and phrases used by pilots and ATC in radio communications
102
questions
2
votes
2answers
174 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
198 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
273 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
122 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
181 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
715 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
351 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
255 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
665 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
2k 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
278 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
107 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
306 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
272 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
433 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
0answers
281 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
257 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
283 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
575 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
4k 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
364 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
385 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
182 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?
11
votes
3answers
388 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
622 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
11k 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
24k 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
469 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
419 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
7k 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
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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
766 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
149 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
515 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
1k 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’...
21
votes
1answer
4k views
What does it mean when ATC says climb maintain 7000, block 8000?
I understand the climb and maintain, but what does block mean?
8
votes
1answer
516 views
Is the phraseology in the early portion of the movie The Net realistic?
Bear with me for a moment; I know that this is based on a movie scene, but there's a real question at the end.
Early in the 1995 movie The Net, there's a scene where a programmer is flying their ...
9
votes
2answers
617 views
Why do pilots refer to the Flight Service Stations as “Radio” in the the United States?
When using an aircraft radio to call a Flight Service Station ("FSS"), why do pilots refer to them as "radio?" I understand calling control towers "tower", ground control "ground", Air Route Traffic ...
6
votes
1answer
739 views
Why was “taxi into position and hold” changed to “line up and wait” in the USA?
How come taxi into position and hold changed into "Line up and wait?" Did the old phraseology cause misunderstandings, or did it seem dated?
2
votes
4answers
767 views
What are the most common uses of radio communication when flying? [closed]
What are the most common uses of radio communication in aviation? I know that many aviators communicate with the people in towers with radio, but what do pilots say to the people in the towers and ...
