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Aviation Learning Center Document Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques - P-8740-47
Author: Federal Aviation Administration Date: revised April 2006
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Radio Communication References
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Phonetic Alphabet

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phonetic alphabet is used in aviation communications to ensure clear understanding of critical information, such as call signs. Use the phonetic alphabet when identifying your aircraft during initial contact with air traffic control facilities. Additionally, use the phonetic equivalents for single letters and to spell out groups of letters or difficult sounds during adverse communications conditions.

used for alignment Phonetic Alphabet used for alignment
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used for alignment Letter  Morse  Telephony  Pronunciation used for alignment
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used for alignment A   o -   Alfa  AL-FAH used for alignment
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used for alignment B  - o o o  Bravo  BRAH-VOH used for alignment
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used for alignment C  - o - o  CHAR-LEE  SHAR-LEE used for alignment
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used for alignment D  - o o  Delta  DELL-TAH used for alignment
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used for alignment E  o  Echo  ECK-OH used for alignment
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used for alignment F  o o - o  Foxtrot  FOKS-TROT used for alignment
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used for alignment G  - - o  Golf  GOLF used for alignment
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used for alignment H  o o o o  Hotel  HOH-TEL used for alignment
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used for alignment I  o o  India  IN-DEE-AH used for alignment
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used for alignment J  o - - -  Juliett  JEW-LEE-ETT used for alignment
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used for alignment K  - o -  Kilo  KEY-LOH used for alignment
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used for alignment L  o - o o  Lima  LEE-MAH used for alignment
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used for alignment M  - -  Mike  MIKE used for alignment
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used for alignment N  - o  November  NO-VEM-BER used for alignment
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used for alignment O  - - -  Oscar  OSS-CAH used for alignment
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used for alignment P  o - - o  Papa  PAH-PAH used for alignment
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used for alignment Q  - - o -  Quebec  KEH-BECK used for alignment
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used for alignment R  o - o  Romeo  ROW-ME-OH used for alignment
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used for alignment S  o o o  Sierra  SEE-AIR-RAH used for alignment
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used for alignment T  -  Tango  TANG-GO used for alignment
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used for alignment U  o o -  Uniform  YOU-NEE-FORM used for alignment
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used for alignment V  o o o -  Victor  VIK-TAH used for alignment
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used for alignment W  o - -   Whiskey  WISS-KEY used for alignment
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used for alignment X  - o o -  Xray  ECKS-RAY used for alignment
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used for alignment Y  - o - -  Yankee  YANG-KEY used for alignment
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used for alignment Z  - - o o  Zulu  ZOO-LOO used for alignment
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used for alignment 1  o - - - -  One  WUN used for alignment
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used for alignment 2  o o - - -  Two  TOO used for alignment
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used for alignment 3  o o o - -  Three  TREE used for alignment
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used for alignment 4  o o o o -  Four  FOW-ER used for alignment
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used for alignment 5  o o o o o  Five  FIFE used for alignment
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used for alignment 6  - o o o o  Six  SIX used for alignment
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used for alignment 7  - - o o o  Seven  SEV-EN used for alignment
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used for alignment 8  - - - o o  Eight  AIT used for alignment
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used for alignment 9  - - - - o  Nine  NIN-ER used for alignment
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used for alignment 0  - - - - -  Zero  ZEE-RO used for alignment
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Figures (Numbers)

Aviation communications for figures, or numbers, uses hundreds and thousands in round numbers for ceiling heights. Upper wind levels up to 9900 are expressed as follows.

  • 500 - "five hundred"
  • 4500 - "four thousand five hundred"
  • 10,000 - "one zero thousand"
  • 13,500 - "one three thousand five hundred"
  • V12 - "Victor twelve"
  • J533 - "J five thirty-three"
  • 10 - "one zero"
  • 122.1 - "one two two point one"

Note: ICAO procedures require the decimal point be spoken as "decimal," and the FAA will honor such usage by military aircraft and all other aircraft required to use ICAO Procedures.

Altitudes and Flight Levels

Up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL, state the separate digits of the thousands, plus the hundreds, if appropriate. For example:

  • 12,000 - "one two thousand"
  • 12,500 - "one two thousand five hundred"

At and above 18,000 feet MSL (FL 180) say the words, "flight level" followed by the separate digits of the flight level. For example:

  • 190 - " flight level one niner zero"

Directions

The three digits of bearing, course, heading or wind direction should always be magnetic. The word "true" must be added when it applies. For example:

  • (magnetic course) 005 - "zero zero five"
  • (true course) 050 - "zero five zero true"
  • (magnetic bearing) 360 - "three six zero"
  • (magnetic heading) 100 - "one zero zero"
  • (wind direction) 220 - "two two zero"

Speeds

The separate digits of the speed followed by the word "KNOTS." Controllers may omit the word "KNOTS" when using speed adjustment procedures, e.g., " reduce/increase speed to two five zero" For example:

  • (speed) 250 - "two five zero knots"
  • (speed) 190 - "one niner zero knots"
  • (mach number) 1.5 - "mach one point five"
  • (mach number).64 - "mach point six four"

Time

Aviation uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), now called Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) or "Zulu," (Z) for all operations. To convert from Standard Time to Zulu:

--Eastern Standard Time - Add 5 hours

--Central Standard Time - Add 6 hours

--Mountain Standard Time - Add 7 hours

--Pacific Standard Time - Add 8 hours

For Daylight Savings Time, subtract one hour from each of the conversion factors listed above.

Aviation also uses the 24-hour clock system in radio communications. The hour is indicated by the first two figures and the minutes by the last two figures of the time description. For example:

  • 0000 - zero zero zero zero
  • 0920 - zero niner two zero

Time may be stated in minutes only (two figures) in radio communications when no misunderstanding is likely to occur. Current time in use at a station is stated in the nearest quarter minute in order that pilots may use this information for time checks. 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 the succeeding quarter minute. For example:

0929:05 - time zero niner two niner

0929:10 - time zero niner two niner and one-quarter

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