2. General Procedures and Phraseology
2.1 Establishment and continuation of communications
2.1.1 Initial Contact
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Identification During Initial Contact
Aircraft should identify themselves using their full callsign along with the callsign of the station being addressed. -
Responsibility for Establishing Communication
The responsibility for initiating communication lies with the station that has a message to transmit. -
Response Protocols
- Avoid using the phrase “GO AHEAD” when responding to a transmission.
- Instead, use the callsign of the calling station and the receiving station’s callsign to invite the transmission of the message.
- Alternatively, the phrase “PASS YOUR MESSAGE” may also be used as an appropriate response.
Example
Pilot: "DUBAI TOWER, EMIRATES 201"
Controller: "EMIRATES 201, DUBAI TOWER" OR "EMIRATES 201, DUBAI TOWER, PASS YOUR MESSAGE."
2.1.2 Radio test procedures
When testing VHF equipment, the following format should be used:
- Identify the station being called.
- Provide the aircraft’s callsign.
- Use the phrase “radio check.”
- Specify the frequency being used.
Responses to test transmissions should include:
- Identification of the aircraft making the call.
- Identification of the station replying.
- Information regarding the readability of the transmission.
The readability of the transmission should be reported using the following standardized scale:
- Unreadable
- Readable now and then
- Readable but with difficulty
- Readable
- Perfectly readable
Example
Pilot: "DUBAI DELIVERY, EMIRATES 587, REQUEST RADIO CHECK ON 120.350."
Controller: "EMIRATES 587, DUBAI DELIVERY, READABILITY 5."
2.1.3 Requesting a repetition
If there is any uncertainty about whether a message has been correctly received, a repetition should be requested either in full or in part.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "SAY AGAIN" | Repeat entire message |
| "SAY AGAIN |
Repeat specific item |
"SAY AGAIN ALL BEFORE First word satisfactorily received" OR "SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER Last word satisfactorily received" OR "SAY AGAIN ALL BETWEEN First word satisfactorily received AND Last word satisfactorily received" |
Repeat part of message |
When ATC is uncertain of the identity of the last station received, the calling station should be asked to repeat its callsign.
Example
Pilot: "HAMAD TOWER, IFLY 1307."
Controller: "STATION CALLING HAMAD TOWER, SAY AGAIN CALLSIGN."
Pilot: "HAMAD TOWER, IFLY 1307."
2.1.4 Correcting a transmission
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Correcting a Specific Phrase
If an error is made during transmission, use the word “CORRECTION” followed by the corrected version of the last phrase. -
Correcting the Entire Message
When it is more appropriate to correct the error by repeating the entire message, use the phrase “CORRECTION, I SAY AGAIN” before retransmitting the full message.
2.2 Transmission of letters
Unless the aircraft has a designated callsign or the type of aircraft is being referenced, each letter in the aircraft’s callsign must be spoken individually using phonetic spelling.
| Letter | Word | Alphabet Representation |
|---|---|---|
| A | ALFA | AL fah |
| B | BRAVO | BRAH voh |
| C | CHARLIE | CHAR lee OR SHAR le |
| D | DELTA | DELL tah |
| E | ECHO | ECK oh |
| F | FOXTROT | FOKS trot |
| G | GOLF | GOLF |
| H | HOTEL | ho TELL |
| I | INDIA | IN dee ah |
| J | JULIET | JEW lee ET |
| 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 meoh |
| S | SIERRA | see AIR rah |
| T | TANGO | TANG go |
| U | UNIFORM | YOU nee form OR OO nee form |
| V | VICTOR | VIK tah |
| W | WHISKEY | WISS key |
| X | X-RAY | ECKS ray |
| Y | YANKEE | YANG key |
| Z | ZULU | ZOO loo |
2.3 Transmission of numbers
The table below provides the phonetic spelling for numbers and numerical terms. Syllables to be emphasized are indicated in uppercase.
| Letter | Word |
|---|---|
| 0 | ZE-RO |
| 1 | WUN |
| 2 | TOO |
| 3 | TREE |
| 4 | FOW-er |
| 5 | FIFE |
| 6 | SIX |
| 7 | SEV-en |
| 8 | AIT |
| 9 | NIN-er |
| Decimal | DAY-SEE-MAL |
| Hundred | HUN-dred |
| Thousand | TOU-SAND |
All numbers must be pronounced digit by digit in the following contexts:
- Aircraft callsigns
- Flight levels
- Headings
- Wind direction and speed
- Transponder codes
- Runway/taxiway designators
- Altimeter settings
- Times
- Frequencies
For taxiway designators, the following options are available:
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Standard Phraseology
Example: “MIKE ONE THREE ALPHA” -
Standard Phraseology with Repetition
Example: “MIKE ONE THREE ALPHA, I SAY AGAIN, MIKE ONE THREE ALPHA” -
Standard Phraseology with Plain Language
Example: “MIKE ONE THREE ALPHA, I SAY AGAIN, MIKE THIRTEEN ALPHA”
2.4 Applications of number transmission
| Application | Example | Transmitted as | Pronounced as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft callsign | UAE335 QTR1018 |
Emirates three three five Qatari one zero one eight |
Emirates TREE TREE FIFE Qatari WUN ZE-RO WUN AIT |
| Flight levels | FL180 FL200 |
Flight level one eight zero Flight level two zero zero |
Flight level WUN AIT ZERO Flight level TOO ZERO ZERO |
| Headings | 150 080 300 |
Heading one five zero Heading zero eight zero Heading three zero zero |
Heading WUN FIFE ZERO Heading ZERO AIT ZERO Heading TREE ZERO ZERO |
| Wind direction and speed | 02035KT 10018KT 21018G30KT |
Wind zero two zero degrees three five knots Wind one zero zero degrees one eight knots Wind two one zero degrees one eight gusting three zero knots |
Wind ZERO TOO ZERO degrees TREE FIFE knots Wind WUN ZERO ZERO degrees WUN AIT knots Wind TOO WUN ZERO degrees WUN AIT knots gusting TREE ZERO knots |
| Runway designator | 19 06 23L |
Runway one nine Runway zero six Runway two three left |
Runway WUN NINER Runway ZERO SIX Runway TOO TREE left |
| Altimeter setting | 984 hPa 1027 hPa 29.95 inches |
Nine eight four hectopascals One zero two seven Two nine point nine five |
NINER AIT FOWER hectopascals WUN ZERO TOO SEVEN TOO NINER NINER FIFE |
| Time | 09:20 16:34 |
Two zero or zero nine two zero Three four or one six three four |
TOO ZERO or ZERO NINER TOO ZERO TREE FOWER or WUN SIX TREE FOWER |
| Frequencies | 128.3 Mhz 135.75 Mhz 5643 Khz |
One two eight decimal three One three five decimal seven five Five six four three |
WUN TOO AIT DAY SEE MAL TREE WUN TREE FIFE DAY SEE MAL SEVEN FIFE FIFE SIX FOWER TREE |
| Transponder codes | Squawk 2400 Squawk 4203 |
Squawk two four zero zero Squawk four two zero three |
Squawk TOO FOWER ZERO ZERO Squawk FOWER TOO ZERO TREE |
2.5 Transmission of time
- Minutes and Hours
- When transmitting time, only the minutes of the hour are typically required.
- Pronounce each digit separately.
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Include the hour if there is a possibility of confusion.
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Use of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
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Time must be transmitted using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), also referred to as "Zulu" time.
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Time Checks
- Pilots may request a time check from the appropriate ATS unit.
- Time checks must be accurate to the nearest half-minute.
Example
Pilot: "QATARI 1018, REQUEST TIME CHECK."
Controller: "QATARI 1018, TIME 0611" OR "QATARI 1018, TIME 0716 AND A HALF"
2.6 Standard words and phrases
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Use of Standard Words and Phrases
Specific words and phrases must be used in radiotelephony communications as appropriate. When used, they carry the meanings assigned to them. -
Avoiding the Phrase “GO AHEAD”
- The phrase “GO AHEAD” should be avoided.
- Instead, the calling aeronautical station’s callsign followed by the answering aeronautical station’s callsign should be used as an invitation to proceed with the transmission.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “ACKNOWLEDGE” | Let me know that you have received and understood this message |
| “AFFIRM” | Yes |
| “APPROVED” | Permission for proposed action granted |
| “BREAK” | I hereby indicate the separation between portions of the message Note: to be used where there is no clear distinction between the text and other portions of the message. |
| “BREAK BREAK” | I hereby indicate separation between messages transmitted to different aircraft in a very busy environment |
| “CANCEL” | Annul the previously transmitted clearance |
| “CHECK” | Examine a system or procedure Note: Not to be used in any other context. No answer is normally expected. |
| “CLEARED” | Authorised to proceed under the conditions specified |
| “CONFIRM” | I request verification of: (clearance, instruction, action, information) |
| “CONTACT” | Establish communications with … |
| “CORRECT” | True or Accurate |
| “CORRECTION” | An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is … |
| “DISREGARD” | Ignore |
| “HOW DO YOU READ” | What is the readability of my transmission? |
| “I SAY AGAIN” | I repeat for clarity or emphasis |
| “MAINTAIN” | Continue in accordance with the condition(s) specified, or in its literal sense, e.g. “Maintain VFR” |
| “MONITOR” | Listen out on (frequency) |
| “NEGATIVE” | No or Permission is not granted or That is not correct or Not capable |
| “OUT” | This exchange of transmissions has ended, and no response is expected. Note: not normally used in VHF communication |
| “OVER” | My transmission has ended, and I expect a response from you. Note: not normally used in VHF communication |
| “PASS YOUR MESSAGE” | Term used in communication with vehicles or personnel, in responding to a transmission establishing communications, for safety reasons |
| “READ BACK” | Repeat all, or the specified part, of this message back to me exactly as received |
| “RECLEARED” | A change has been made to your last clearance and this new clearance supersedes your previous clearance or part thereof |
| “REPORT” | Pass me the following information |
| “REQUEST” | I should like to know, or I wish to obtain |
| “ROGER” | I have received all of your last transmission. Note: Under NO circumstances to be used in reply to an Instruction requiring READBACK or to a question requiring a direct answer in the affirmative or negative. |
| “SAY AGAIN” | Repeat all or the following part of your last transmission |
| “SPEAK SLOWER” | Reduce your rate of speech |
| “STANDBY” | Wait and I will call you Note: The caller would normally re-establish contact if the delay is lengthy, STANDBY is not an approval or denial. |
| “UNABLE” | I cannot comply with your request, instruction or clearance. Note: normally followed by a reason. |
| “WILCO” | I understand your message and will comply with it. Note: Abbreviation for “will comply” and used in situations where the instruction received does not require a full read back, or where a repetition of the instructions may be confusing. |
| “WORDS TWICE” | (a) as a request: communication is difficult. Please send every word or group of words twice (b) as information: since communication is difficult every word group of words in this message will be sent twice |
2.7 Callsigns
Aeronautical stations are identified by the name of the location, followed by the service available, as outlined below:
| Station | Description |
|---|---|
| Control | Area control centre (CTR) |
| Approach | Approach control (APP) |
| Arrival | Approach control radar – arrivals (APP/ARR) |
| Departure | Approach control radar – departures (DEP) |
| Tower | Aerodrome control (TWR) (AIR) |
| Director | Approach control - final controller (FAPP) (FIN) |
| Radar | Radar (in general) (CTR/APP/DEP) |
| Apron | Apron control (GND) |
| Information | Flight information service (FIS) |
| Delivery | Clearance delivery (DEL) (GMP) |
| Radio | Aeronautical station (FSS) |
| Dispatch | Company dispatch |
| Ground | Surface movement control (GND) (GMC) |
The name of the location or the service may be omitted once satisfactory communication has been established.
2.7.1 Aircraft callsigns
Info
The information in this section is based on the U.A.E GCAA CAAP 47 document.
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Changing Aircraft Call Signs
An aircraft shall not change its call sign during flight unless there is a risk of confusion due to similar call signs, and the aircraft has been instructed by an air traffic control unit to temporarily change its call sign. -
First option – Standard Phraseology: “AIRLINE ONE TWO THREE”
- Second option – Standard Phraseology with Repeated Standard Phraseology: “AIRLINE ONE TWO THREE, I SAY AGAIN, AIRLINE ONE TWO THREE”
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Third option – Standard Phraseology with Plain Language: “AIRLINE ONE TWO THREE, I SAY AGAIN, AIRLINE ONE TWENTY-THREE”
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Heavy Wake Turbulence Category
Aircraft in the heavy wake turbulence category must include the word “HEAVY” or “SUPER” (as applicable) immediately after the aircraft’s call sign during the initial contact with ATS units.
Example
Controller: "PAKISTAN TWO ONE EIGHT, CHANGE CALLSIGN TO PAKISTAN TWO ONE LIMA [UNTIL FURTHER ADVISED]."
Pilot: "PAKISTAN TWO ONE EIGHT, CHANGE TO PAKISTAN TWO ONE LIMA."
Controller: "PAKISTAN TWO ONE LIMA REVERT TO FLIGHT PLAN CALLSIGN [AT TIME/REP]."
Pilot: "PAKISTAN TWO ONE LIMA WILCO."
2.8 Transfer of communications
An aircraft shall be instructed by the appropriate aeronautical station to change from one radio frequency to another, in accordance with the letter of agreements between ATS units.
Example
Controller: "SKYDUBAI 12, CONTACT U.A.E RADAR ON 132.150."
Pilot: "CONTACT U.A.E RADAR 132.150, SKYDUBAI 12"
Controller: "SKYDUBAI 12, WHEN PASSING ALTITUDE 10,000 FEET, CONTACT U.A.E RADAR ON 132.150."
Pilot: "WHEN PASSING ALTITUDE 10,000 FEET, CONTACT U.A.E RADAR ON 132.150, SKYDUBAI 12."