Section 4. Radio and Interphone Communications
2-4-1. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
Use radio frequencies for the special purposes for
which they are intended. A single frequency may be
used for more than one function except as follows:
TERMINAL. When combining positions in the tower,
do not use ground control frequency for airborne
communications.
NOTE-
Due to the limited number of frequencies assigned to
towers for the ground control function, it is very likely that
airborne use of a ground control frequency could cause
interference to other towers or interference to your aircraft
from another tower. When combining these functions, it is
recommended combining them on local control. The ATIS
may be used to specify the desired frequency.
2-4-2. MONITORING
Monitor interphones and assigned radio frequencies
continuously.
NOTE-
Although all FAA facilities, including RAPCONs and
RATCFs, are required to monitor all assigned frequencies
continuously, USAF facilities may not monitor all
unpublished discrete frequencies.
2-4-3. PILOT ACKNOWLEDGMENT/READ
BACK
a. When issuing clearances or instructions, ensure
acknowledgment by the pilot. If no acknowledgment
is received, attempt to re-establish contact. If
attempts are unsuccessful, advise the FLM/CIC.
NOTE-
Pilots may acknowledge clearances, instructions, or other
information by using “Wilco,” “Roger,” “Affirmative,” or
other words or remarks.
REFERENCE-
AIM, Para 4-2-3, Contact Procedures.
b. If altitude, heading, or other items are read back
by the pilot, ensure the read back is correct. If
incorrect or incomplete, make corrections as
appropriate.
2-4-4. AUTHORIZED INTERRUPTIONS
As necessary, authorize a pilot to interrupt his/her
communications guard.
NOTE-
Some users have adopted procedures to insure uninterrupted receiving capability with ATC when a pilot with only
one operative communications radio must interrupt
his/her communications guard because of a safety related
problem requiring airborne communications with his/her
company. In this event, pilots will request approval to
abandon guard on the assigned ATC frequency for a
mutually agreeable time period. Additionally, they will
inform controllers of the NAVAID voice facility and the
company frequency they will monitor.
2-4-5. AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSIONS
Transmit only those messages necessary for air traffic
control or otherwise contributing to air safety.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 3-2-2, Authorized Messages Not Directly
Associated with Air Traffic Services.
2-4-6. FALSE OR DECEPTIVE
COMMUNICATIONS
Take action to detect, prevent, and report false,
deceptive, or phantom controller communications to
an aircraft or controller. The following shall be
accomplished when false or deceptive communications occur:
a. Correct false information.
b. Broadcast an alert to aircraft operating on all
frequencies within the area where deceptive or
phantom transmissions have been received.
EXAMPLE-
“Attention all aircraft. False ATC instructions have been
received in the area of Long Beach Airport. Exercise
extreme caution on all frequencies and verify
instructions.”
c. Collect pertinent information regarding the
incident.
d. Notify the operations supervisor of the false,
deceptive, or phantom transmission and report all
relevant information pertaining to the incident.
2-4-7. AUTHORIZED RELAYS
a. Relay operational information to aircraft or
aircraft operators as necessary. Do not agree to handle
such messages on a regular basis. Give the source of
any such message you relay.
b. Relay official FAA messages as required.
NOTE-
The FAA Administrator and Deputy Administrator will
sometimes use code phrases to identify themselves in
air-to-ground communications as follows:
Administrator: “SAFEAIR ONE.”
Deputy Administrator: “SAFEAIR TWO.”
EXAMPLE-
“Miami Center, Jetstar One, this is SAFEAIR ONE,
(message).”
c. Relay operational information to military
aircraft operating on, or planning to operate on IRs.
2-4-8. RADIO MESSAGE FORMAT
Use the following format for radio communications
with an aircraft:
a. Sector/position on initial radio contact:
1. Identification of aircraft.
2. Identification of ATC unit.
3. Message (if any).
4. The word “over” if required.
b. Subsequent radio transmissions from the same
sector/position shall use the same format, except the
identification of the ATC unit may be omitted.
TERMINAL. You may omit aircraft identification
after initial contact when conducting the final portion
of a radar approach.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.
2-4-9. ABBREVIATED TRANSMISSIONS
Transmissions may be abbreviated as follows:
a. Use the identification prefix and the last 3 digits
or letters of the aircraft identification after
communications have been established. Do not
abbreviate similar sounding aircraft identifications or
the identification of an air carrier or other civil aircraft
having an FAA authorized call sign.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.
b. Omit the facility identification after communication has been established.
c. Transmit the message immediately after the
callup (without waiting for the aircraft's reply) when
the message is short and receipt is generally assured.
d. Omit the word “over” if the message obviously
requires a reply.
2-4-10. INTERPHONE TRANSMISSION
PRIORITIES
Give priority to interphone transmissions as follows:
a. First priority. Emergency messages including
essential information on aircraft accidents or
suspected accidents. After an actual emergency has
passed, give a lower priority to messages relating to
that accident.
b. Second priority. Clearances and control
instructions.
c. Third priority. Movement and control messages
using the following order of preference when
possible:
1. Progress reports.
2. Departure or arrival reports.
3. Flight plans.
d. Fourth priority. Movement messages on VFR
aircraft.
2-4-11. PRIORITY INTERRUPTION
Use the words “emergency” or “control” for
interrupting lower priority messages when you have
an emergency or control message to transmit.
2-4-12. INTERPHONE MESSAGE FORMAT
Use the following format for interphone intra/interfacility communications:
a. Both the caller and receiver identify their
facility and/or position in a manner that insures they
will not be confused with another position.
NOTE-
Other means of identifying a position, such as substituting
departure or arrival gate/fix names for position identification, may be used. However, it must be operationally
beneficial, and the procedure fully covered in a letter of
agreement or a facility directive, as appropriate.
EXAMPLE-
Caller: “Albuquerque Center Sixty Three, Amarillo
Departure.”
Receiver: “Albuquerque Center.”
b. Between two facilities which utilize numeric
position identification, the caller must identify both
facility and position.
EXAMPLE-
Caller: “Albuquerque Sixty Three, Fort Worth Eighty
Two.”
c. Caller states the type of coordination to be
accomplished when advantageous. For example,
handoff or APREQ.
d. The caller states the message.
e. The receiver states the response to the caller's
message followed by the receiver's operating initials.
f. The caller states his or her operating initials.
EXAMPLE-
1.
Caller: “Denver High, R Twenty-five.”
Receiver: “Denver High.”
Caller: “Request direct Denver for Northwest Three
Twenty-eight.”
Receiver: “Northwest Three Twenty-eight direct Denver
approved. H.F.”
Caller: “G.M.”
2.
Receiver: “Denver High, Go ahead override.”
Caller: “R Twenty-five, Request direct Denver for
Northwest Three Twenty-eight.”
Receiver: “Northwest Three Twenty-eight direct Denver
approved. H.F.”
Caller: “G.M.”
3.
Caller: (“Bolos” is a departure gate in Houston ARTCC's
Sabine sector)-“Bolos, Houston local.”
Receiver: “Bolos.”
Caller: “Request Flight Level three five zero for American
Twenty-five.”
Receiver: “American Twenty-five Flight Level three five
zero approved, A.C.”
Caller: “G.M.”
4.
Caller: “Sector Twelve, Ontario Approach, APREQ.”
Receiver: “Sector Twelve.”
Caller: “Cactus Five forty-two heading one three zero and
climbing to one four thousand.”
Receiver: “Cactus Five forty-two heading one three zero
and climbing to one four thousand approved. B.N.”
Caller: “A.M.”
5.
Caller: “Zanesville, Columbus, seventy-three line,
handoff.”
Receiver: “Zanesville.”
Caller: “Five miles east of Appleton VOR, United Three
Sixty-six.”
Receiver: “United Three Sixty-six, radar contact, A.Z.”
Caller: “M.E.”
g. Identify the interphone voice line on which the
call is being made when two or more such lines are
collocated at the receiving operating position.
EXAMPLE-
“Washington Center, Washington Approach on the Fifty
Seven line.”
“Chicago Center, O'Hare Tower handoff on the Departure
West line.”
h. TERMINAL. The provisions of subparas a, b, c,
e, f, g, and para 2-4-13, Interphone Message
Termination, may be omitted provided:
1. Abbreviated standard coordination procedures are contained in a facility directive describing
the specific conditions and positions that may utilize
an abbreviated interphone message format; and
2. There will be no possibility of misunderstanding which positions are using the abbreviated
procedures.
2-4-13. INTERPHONE MESSAGE
TERMINATION
Terminate interphone messages with your operating
initials.
2-4-14. WORDS AND PHRASES
a. Use the words or phrases in radiotelephone and
interphone communication as contained in the P/CG
or, within areas where Controller Pilot Data Link
Communications (CPDLC) is in use, the phraseology
contained in the applicable CPDLC message set.
b. The word “heavy” shall be used as part of the
identification of heavy jet aircraft as follows:
TERMINAL. In all communications with or about
heavy jet aircraft.
EN ROUTE. The use of the word heavy may be
omitted except as follows:
1. In communications with a terminal facility
about heavy jet operations.
2. In communications with or about heavy jet
aircraft with regard to an airport where the en route
center is providing approach control service.
3. In communications with or about heavy jet
aircraft when the separation from a following aircraft
may become less than 5 miles by approved procedure.
4. When issuing traffic advisories.
EXAMPLE-
“United Fifty-Eight Heavy.”
NOTE-
Most airlines will use the word “heavy” following the
company prefix and flight number when establishing
communications or when changing frequencies within a
terminal facility's area.
5. When in radio communications with “Air
Force One” or “Air Force Two,” do not add the heavy
designator to the call sign. State only the call sign “Air
Force One/Two” regardless of the type aircraft.
2-4-15. EMPHASIS FOR CLARITY
Emphasize appropriate digits, letters, or similar
sounding words to aid in distinguishing between
similar sounding aircraft identifications.
Additionally:
a. Notify each pilot concerned when communicating with aircraft having similar sounding
identifications.
EXAMPLE-
“United Thirty-one United, Miami Center, U.S. Air
Thirty-one is also on this frequency, acknowledge.”
“U.S. Air Thirty-one U.S. Air, Miami Center, United
Thirty-one is also on this frequency, acknowledge.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-13, Aircraft Identification Problems.
b. Notify the operations supervisor-in-charge of
any duplicate flight identification numbers or
phonetically similar-sounding call signs when the
aircraft are operating simultaneously within the same
sector.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-13, Aircraft Identification Problems.
NOTE-
This is especially important when this occurs on a
repetitive, rather than an isolated, basis.
2-4-16. ICAO PHONETICS
Use the ICAO pronunciation of numbers and
individual letters. (See the ICAO radiotelephony
alphabet and pronunciation in TBL 2-4-1.)
TBL 2-4-1
ICAO Phonetics
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
|
|
|
|
A
|
Alfa
|
ALFAH
|
B
|
Bravo
|
BRAHVOH
|
C
|
Charlie
|
CHARLEE
|
D
|
Delta
|
DELLTAH
|
E
|
Echo
|
ECKOH
|
F
|
Foxtrot
|
FOKSTROT
|
G
|
Golf
|
GOLF
|
H
|
Hotel
|
HOHTELL
|
I
|
India
|
INDEE AH
|
J
|
Juliett
|
JEWLEE ETT
|
K
|
Kilo
|
KEYLOH
|
L
|
Lima
|
LEEMAH
|
M
|
Mike
|
MIKE
|
N
|
November
|
NOVEMBER
|
O
|
Oscar
|
OSSCAH
|
P
|
Papa
|
PAHPAH
|
Q
|
Quebec
|
KEHBECK
|
R
|
Romeo
|
ROWME OH
|
S
|
Sierra
|
SEEAIRAH
|
T
|
Tango
|
TANGGO
|
U
|
Uniform
|
YOUNEE FORM
|
V
|
Victor
|
VIKTAH
|
W
|
Whiskey
|
WISSKEY
|
X
|
X-ray
|
ECKSRAY
|
Y
|
Yankee
|
YANGKEY
|
Z
|
Zulu
|
ZOOLOO
|
NOTE-
Syllables to be emphasized in pronunciation are in bold
face.
2-4-17. NUMBERS USAGE
State numbers as follows:
a. Serial numbers. The separate digits.
EXAMPLE-
Number
|
Statement
|
11,495
|
“One one four niner five.”
|
20,069
|
“Two zero zero six niner.”
|
b. Altitudes or flight levels:
1. Altitudes. Pronounce each digit in the number
of hundreds or thousands followed by the word
“hundred” or “thousand” as appropriate.
EXAMPLE-
Number
|
Statement
|
10,000
|
“One zero thousand.”
|
11,000
|
“One one thousand.”
|
17,900
|
“One seven thousand niner
hundred.”
|
NOTE-
Altitudes may be restated in group form for added clarity
if the controller chooses.
EXAMPLE-
Number
|
Statement
|
10,000
|
“Ten thousand.”
|
11,000
|
“Eleven thousand.”
|
17,900
|
“Seventeen thousand niner
hundred.”
|
2. Flight levels. The words “flight level”
followed by the separate digits of the flight level.
EXAMPLE-
Flight Level
|
Statement
|
180
|
“Flight level one eight zero.”
|
275
|
“Flight level two seven five.”
|
3. MDA/DH Altitudes. The separate digits of
the MDA/DH altitude.
EXAMPLE-
MDA/DH Altitude
|
Statement
|
1,320
|
“Minimum descent altitude,
one three two zero.”
|
486
|
“Decision height, four eight
six.”
|
c. Time:
1. General time information. The four separate
digits of the hour and minute/s in terms of UTC.
EXAMPLE-
UTC
|
Time (12 hour)
|
Statement
|
0715
|
1:15 a.m. CST
|
“Zero seven one five.”
|
1915
|
1:15 p.m. CST
|
“One niner one five.”
|
2. Upon request. The four separate digits of the
hours and minute/s in terms of UTC followed by the
local standard time equivalent; or the local time
equivalent only. Local time may be based on the
24-hour clock system, and the word “local” or the
time zone equivalent shall be stated when other than
UTC is referenced. The term “ZULU” may be used
to denote UTC.
EXAMPLE-
UTC
|
Time
(24 hour)
|
Time
(12 hour)
|
Statement
|
2230
|
1430 PST
|
2:30 p.m.
|
“Two two three zero,
one four three zero
Pacific or Local.” or
“Two-thirty P-M.”
|
3. Time check. The word “time” followed by the
four separate digits of the hour and minutes, and
nearest quarter minute. 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 succeeding quarter
minute.
EXAMPLE-
Time
|
Statement
|
1415:06
|
“Time, one four one five.”
|
1415:10
|
“Time, one four one five and
one-quarter.”
|
4. Abbreviated time. The separate digits of the
minutes only.
EXAMPLE-
Time
|
Statement
|
1415
|
“One five.”
|
1420
|
“Two zero.”
|
d. Field elevation. The words “field elevation”
followed by the separate digits of the elevation.
EXAMPLE-
Elevation
|
Statement
|
17 feet
|
“Field elevation, one seven.”
|
817 feet
|
“Field elevation, eight one seven.”
|
2,817 feet
|
“Field elevation, two eight one seven.”
|
e. The number “0” as “zero” except where it is
used in approved “group form” for authorized aircraft
call signs, and in stating altitudes.
EXAMPLE-
As Zero
|
As Group
|
“Field elevation one six zero.”
“Heading three zero zero.”
“One zero thousand five
hundred.”
|
“Western five thirty.”
“EMAIR One Ten.”
“Ten thousand five hundred.”
|
f. Altimeter setting. The word “altimeter” followed by the separate digits of the altimeter setting.
EXAMPLE-
Setting
|
Statement
|
30.01
|
“Altimeter, three zero zero one.”
|
g. Surface wind. The word “wind” followed by the
separate digits of the indicated wind direction to the
nearest 10-degree multiple, the word “at” and the
separate digits of the indicated velocity in knots.
EXAMPLE-
“Wind zero three zero at two five.”
“Wind two seven zero at one five gusts three five.”
h. Heading. The word “heading” followed by the
three separate digits of the number of degrees,
omitting the word “degrees.” Use heading
360 degrees to indicate a north heading.
EXAMPLE-
Heading
|
Statement
|
5 degrees
|
“Heading zero zero five.”
|
30 degrees
|
“Heading zero three zero.”
|
360 degrees
|
“Heading three six zero.”
|
i. Radar beacon codes. The separate digits of the
4-digit code.
EXAMPLE-
Code
|
Statement
|
1000
|
“One zero zero zero.”
|
2100
|
“Two one zero zero.”
|
j. Runways. The word “runway,” followed by the
separate digits of the runway designation. For a
parallel runway, state the word “left,” “right,” or
“center” if the letter “L,” “R,” or “C” is included in the
designation.
EXAMPLE-
Designation
|
Statement
|
3
|
“Runway Three.”
|
8L
|
“Runway Eight Left.”
|
27R
|
“Runway Two Seven Right.”
|
k. Frequencies.
1. The separate digits of the frequency, inserting
the word “point” where the decimal point occurs.
(a) Omit digits after the second digit to the
right of the decimal point.
(b) When the frequency is in the L/MF band,
include the word “kiloHertz.”
EXAMPLE-
Frequency
|
Statement
|
126.55 MHz
|
“One two six point five five.”
|
369.0 MHz
|
“Three six niner point zero.”
|
121.5 MHz
|
“One two one point five.”
|
135.275 MHz
|
“One three five point two seven.”
|
302 kHz
|
“Three zero two kiloHertz.”
|
2. USAF/USN. Local channelization numbers
may be used in lieu of frequencies for locally based
aircraft when local procedures are established to
ensure that local aircraft and ATC facilities use the
same channelization.
EXAMPLE-
Frequency
|
Statement
|
275.8 MHz
|
“Local channel one six.”
|
3. Issue MLS/TACAN frequencies by stating
the assigned two- or three-digit channel number.
EXAMPLE-
“M-L-S channel Five Three Zero.”
“TACAN channel Niner Seven.”
l. Speeds.
1. The separate digits of the speed followed by
“knots” except as required by para
5-7-2,
Methods.
EXAMPLE-
Speed
|
Statement
|
250
|
“Two five zero knots.”
|
190
|
“One niner zero knots.”
|
2. The separate digits of the Mach number
preceded by “Mach.”
EXAMPLE-
Mach Number
|
Statement
|
1.5
|
“Mach one point five.”
|
0.64
|
“Mach point six four.”
|
0.7
|
“Mach point seven.”
|
m. Miles. The separate digits of the mileage
followed by the word “mile.”
EXAMPLE-
“Three zero mile arc east of Nottingham.”
“Traffic, one o'clock, two five miles, northbound, D-C
Eight, flight level two seven zero.”
2-4-18. NUMBER CLARIFICATION
a. If deemed necessary for clarity, and after stating
numbers as specified in para 2-4-17, Numbers
Usage, controllers may restate numbers using either
group or single-digit form.
EXAMPLE-
“One Seven Thousand, Seventeen Thousand.”
“Altimeter Two Niner Niner Two, Twenty Nine Ninety
Two.”
“One Two Six Point Five Five, One Twenty Six Point Fifty
Five.”
2-4-19. FACILITY IDENTIFICATION
Identify facilities as follows:
a. Airport traffic control towers. State the name of
the facility followed by the word “tower.” Where
military and civil airports are located in the same
general area and have similar names, state the name
of the military service followed by the name of the
military facility and the word “tower.”
EXAMPLE-
“Columbus Tower.”
“Barksdale Tower.”
“Navy Jacksonville Tower.”
b. Air route traffic control centers. State the name
of the facility followed by the word “center.”
c. Approach control facilities, including
RAPCONs, RATCFs, and ARACs. State the name of
the facility followed by the word “approach.” Where
military and civil facilities are located in the same
general area and have similar names, state the name
of the military service followed by the name of the
military facility and the word “approach.”
EXAMPLE-
“Denver Approach.”
“Griffiss Approach.”
“Navy Jacksonville Approach.”
d. Functions within a terminal facility. State the
name of the facility followed by the name of the
function.
EXAMPLE-
“Boston Departure.”
“LaGuardia Clearance Delivery.”
“O'Hare Ground.”
e. When calling or replying on an interphone line
which connects only two non-VSCS equipped
facilities, you may omit the facility name.
EXAMPLE-
“Bradford High, Handoff.”
f. FAA flight service stations. State the name of the
station followed by the word “radio.”
EXAMPLE-
“Altoona Radio.”
g. Radar facilities having ASR or PAR but not
providing approach control service. State the name
of the facility, followed by the letters “G-C-A.”
EXAMPLE-
“Corpus Christi G-C-A.”
“Davison G-C-A.”
2-4-20. AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION
Use the full identification in reply to aircraft with
similar sounding identifications. For other aircraft,
the same identification may be used in reply that the
pilot used in his/her initial callup except use the
correct identification after communications have
been established. Identify aircraft as follows:
a. U.S. registry aircraft. State one of the following:
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-8, Radio Message Format.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-9, Abbreviated Transmissions.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-15, Emphasis for Clarity.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-17, Numbers Usage.
1. Civil. State the prefix “November” when
establishing initial communications with U.S.
registered aircraft followed by the ICAO phonetic
pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft
registration. The controller may state the aircraft
type, the model, the manufacturer's name, followed
by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the
numbers/letters of the aircraft registration if used by
the pilot on the initial or subsequent call.
EXAMPLE-
Air traffic controller's initiated call:
“November One Two Three Four Golf.”
“November One Two Three Four.”
Responding to pilot's initial or subsequent call:
“Jet Commander One Two Three Four Papa.”
“Bonanza One Two Three Four Tango.”
“Sikorsky Six Three Eight Mike Foxtrot.”
NOTE-
If aircraft identification becomes a problem when the
procedures specified above are used, the call sign shall be
restated after the flight number of the aircraft involved.
EXAMPLE-
“American Five Twenty-One American.”
“Commuter Six Eleven Commuter.”
“General Motors Thirty-Seven General Motors.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-13, Aircraft Identification Problems.
2. Air carrier and other civil aircraft having FAA
authorized call signs. State the call sign followed by
the flight number in group form.
NOTE-
“Group form” is the pronunciation of a series of numbers
as the whole number, or pairs of numbers they represent
rather than pronouncing each separate digit. The use of
group form may, however, be negated by four-digit
identifiers or the placement of zeros in the identifier.
EXAMPLE-
“American Fifty-Two.”
“Delta One Hundred.”
“Eastern Metro One Ten.”
“General Motors Thirty Fifteen.”
“United One Zero One.”
“Delta Zero One Zero.”
“TWA Ten Zero Four.”
NOTE-
Air carrier and other civil aircraft having FAA authorized
call signs may be pronounced using single digits if
necessary for clarity.
EXAMPLE-
“United Five One Seven.”
“United Five Seven Zero.”
3. Air taxi and commercial operators not having
FAA authorized call signs. State the prefix “TANGO”
on initial contact, if used by the pilot, followed by the
registration number. The prefix may be dropped in
subsequent communications.
EXAMPLE-
“Tango Mooney Five Five Five Two Quebec.”
“Tango November One Two Three Four.”
4. Air carrier/taxi ambulance. State the prefix,
“Lifeguard,” if used by the pilot, followed by the call
sign and flight number in group form.
EXAMPLE-
“Lifeguard Delta Fifty-One.”
5. Civilian air ambulance. State the word
“LIFEGUARD” followed by the numbers/letters of
the registration number.
EXAMPLE-
“Lifeguard Two Six Four Six.”
6. U.S. military. State one of the following:
(a) The service name, followed by the word
“copter,” when appropriate, and the last 5 digits of the
serial number.
EXAMPLE-
“Navy Five Six Seven One Three.”
“Coast Guard Six One Three Two Seven.”
“Air Guard One Three Five Eight Six.”
“Army Copter Three Two One Seven Six.”
NOTE-
If aircraft identification becomes a problem, the
procedures reflected in FAAO JO 7210.3, Facility
Operation and Administration, para 2-1-13, Aircraft
Identification Problems, will apply.
(b) Special military operations. State one of
the following followed by the last 5 digits of the serial
number:
(c) Air evacuation flights. “AIR EVAC,”
“MARINE AIR EVAC,” or “NAVY AIR EVAC.”
EXAMPLE-
“Air Evac One Seven Six Five Two.”
(d) Rescue flights. (Service name)
“RESCUE.”
EXAMPLE-
“Air Force Rescue Six One Five Seven Niner.”
(e) Air Mobility Command. “REACH.”
EXAMPLE-
“Reach Seven Eight Five Six Two.”
(f) Special Air Mission. “SAM.”
EXAMPLE-
“Sam Niner One Five Six Two.”
(g) USAF Contract Aircraft “LOGAIR.”
EXAMPLE-
“Logair Seven Five Eight Two Six.”
(h) Military tactical and training:
(1) U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard,
Military District of Washington priority aircraft, and
USAF civil disturbance aircraft. Pronounceable
words of 3 to 6 letters followed by a 1 to 5 digit
number.
EXAMPLE-
“Paul Two Zero.”
“Pat One Five Seven.”
“Gaydog Four.”
NOTE-
When the “Z” suffix described in para
2-3-7,
USAF/USN Undergraduate Pilots, is added to identify
aircraft piloted by USAF undergraduate pilots, the call
sign will be limited to a combination of six characters.
(2) Navy or Marine fleet and training
command aircraft. The service name and 2 letters, or
a digit and a letter (use letter phonetic equivalents),
followed by 2 or 3 digits.
EXAMPLE-
“Navy Golf Alfa Two One.”
“Marine Four Charlie Two Three Six.”
7. Presidential aircraft and Presidential family
aircraft:
(a) When the President is aboard a military
aircraft, state the name of the military service,
followed by the word “One.”
EXAMPLE-
“Air Force One.”
“Army One.”
“Marine One.”
(b) When the President is aboard a civil
aircraft, state the words “Executive One.”
(c) When a member of the President's family
is aboard any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the
White House Staff determines it is necessary, state the
words “Executive One Foxtrot.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para
2-1-4, Operational Priority.
8. Vice Presidential aircraft:
(a) When the Vice President is aboard a
military aircraft, state the name of the military
service, followed by the word “Two.”
EXAMPLE-
“Air Force Two.”
“Army Two.”
“Marine Two.”
(b) When the Vice President is aboard a civil
aircraft, state the words “Executive Two.”
(c) When a member of the Vice President's
family is aboard any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret
Service or the White House Staff determines it is
necessary, state the words “Executive Two Foxtrot.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para
2-1-4, Operational Priority.
9. DOT and FAA flights. The following
alphanumeric identifiers and radio/interphone call
signs are established for use in air/ground communications when the Secretary of Transportation, Deputy
Secretary of Transportation, FAA Administrator or
FAA Deputy Administrator have a requirement to
identify themselves. (See TBL 2-4-2.)
TBL 2-4-2
DOT and FAA Alphanumeric Identifiers
and Call Signs
Official
|
Identifier
|
Call Sign
|
Secretary of Transportation
|
DOT-1
|
Transport-1
|
Deputy Secretary of
Transportation
|
DOT-2
|
Transport-2
|
Administrator,
Federal Aviation Administration
|
FAA-1
|
Safeair-1
|
Deputy Administrator,
Federal Aviation Administration
|
FAA-2
|
Safeair-2
|
10. Other Special Flights.
(a) Department of Energy flights. State the
letters “R-A-C” (use phonetic alphabet equivalents)
followed by the last 4 separate digits of the aircraft
registration number.
EXAMPLE-
“Romeo Alfa Charlie One Six Five Three.”
(b) Flight Inspection of navigational aids.
State the call sign “FLIGHT CHECK” followed by
the digits of the registration number.
EXAMPLE-
“Flight Check Three Niner Six Five Four.”
(c) USAF aircraft engaged in aerial sampling
missions. State the call sign “SAMP” followed by the
last three digits of the serial number.
EXAMPLE-
“SAMP Three One Six.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para
9-2-17, SAMP.
11. Use a pilot's name in identification of an
aircraft only in special or emergency situations.
b. Foreign registry. State one of the following:
1. Civil. State the aircraft type or the manufacturer's name followed by the letters/numbers of the
aircraft registration, or state the letters or digits of the
aircraft registration or call sign.
EXAMPLE-
“Stationair F-L-R-B.”
“C-F-L-R-B.”
NOTE-
Letters may be spoken individually or phonetically.
2. Air carrier. The abbreviated name of the
operating company followed by the letters or digits of
the registration or call sign.
EXAMPLE-
“Air France F-L-R-L-G.”
3. The flight number in group form, or you may
use separate digits if that is the format used by the
pilot.
EXAMPLE-
“Scandinavian Sixty-eight.”
“Scandinavian Six Eight.”
4. Foreign Military. Except for
military services identified in FAA Order JO 7340.2, Contractions, the name of
the country and the military service followed by the
separate digits or letters of the registration or call
sign. For military services listed in FAA Order JO 7340.2, the approved
telephony
followed by the separate digits of the serial number.
EXAMPLE-
“Canforce Five Six Two Seven.”
“Brazilian Air Force Five Three Two Seven Six.”
2-4-21. DESCRIPTION OF AIRCRAFT
TYPES
Except for heavy aircraft, describe aircraft as follows
when issuing traffic information.
a. Military:
1. Military designator, with numbers spoken in
group form, or
2. Service and type, or
3. Type only if no confusion or misidentification is likely.
b. Air Carrier:
1. Manufacturer's model or designator.
2. Add the manufacturer's name, company
name or other identifying features when confusion or
misidentification is likely.
EXAMPLE-
“L-Ten-Eleven.”
“American MD-Eighty. Seven Thirty-Seven.”
“Boeing Seven Fifty-Seven.”
NOTE-
Pilots of “interchange” aircraft are expected to inform the
tower on the first radio contact the name of the operating
company and trip number followed by the company name,
as displayed on the aircraft, and the aircraft type.
c. General Aviation and Air Taxi:
1. Manufacturer's model, or designator.
2. Manufacturer's name, or add color when
considered advantageous.
EXAMPLE-
“Tri-Pacer.”
“P A Twenty-Two.”
“Cessna Four-Oh-One.”
“Blue and white King Air.”
“Airliner.”
“Sikorsky S-Seventy-Six.”
d. When issuing traffic information to aircraft
following a heavy jet, specify the word “heavy”
before the manufacturer's name and model.
EXAMPLE-
“Heavy L-Ten-Eleven.”
“Heavy C-Five.”
“Heavy Boeing Seven Forty-Seven.”
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para
2-1-21, Traffic Advisories.
2-4-22. AIRSPACE CLASSES
A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace are pronounced in the
ICAO phonetics for clarification. The term “Class”
may be dropped when referring to airspace in
pilot/controller communications.
EXAMPLE-
“Cessna 123 Mike Romeo cleared to enter Bravo
airspace.”
“Sikorsky 123 Tango Sierra cleared to enter New York
Bravo airspace.”
|