OBJECTIVES:
- explain the transmitting technique
- know the standard words and phrases
TRANSMITTING TECHNIQUE
Note: As a remainder from the old days quite often the term R/T is used which is derived from Radio Telephony. It implies a clear double sense, namely for the use of radio and telephone alike.
The main way of passing messages between pilots and controllers is via two-way radio communication. Standard words are used to avoid confusion and misunderstandings for the safe conduct of flights.
Or like ICAO defines it: The information and instructions transmitted are of vital importance in the safe and expeditious operation of aircraft. Incidents and accidents have occurred in which a contributing factor has been the use of non-standard procedures and phraseology. The importance of using correct and precise standardized phraseology cannot be overemphasized.
ICAO has defined a transmitting technique that it is also of great importance in our virtual world.
To be able to have a clear communication:
- before transmitting, listen out on your frequency to make sure that there is no other conversation on-going at that moment;
- know how to use your microphone, hereby paying attention to the distance between mouth and microphone and the volume of your voice;
- use a normal conversational tone, don't speak too loud or too slow and speak clearly and not too fast;
- a very short pause before and after numbers will make it easier to understand them;
- avoid hesitations and unnecessary interruptions or sounds such as "eh" and "yeah";
- press the transmit switch before you start speaking and keep it pressed until the full message is completed.
Many of these points are of importance in our virtually world alike and sometimes even more, because of the limitations we have in comparison with real life.
STANDARD WORDS AND PHRASES
The following words and phrases shall be used in radiotelephony communicaiions as appropriate and shall have the meaning given below.
| TERM or WORD |
Explanation |
| 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 the 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 |
"Authorized 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." |
| GO AHEAD |
DELETED BY ICAO BECAUSE IT MAY BE UNDERSTOOD AS "PROCEED".
"Proceed with your message."
Note.- Not used whenever the possibility exists of misconstruiing "GO AHEAD" as an authorization for an aircraft to proceed. The phrase "GO AHEAD" may be omitted and, in its place, a response made by using the calling aeronautical station's call sign followed by the answering aeronautical station's call sign.
|
| 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 not granted" or "That is not correct" or "not capable" |
| OUT |
"This exchange of transmissions is ended and no response is expected."
Note.- Not normally used in VHF communications. |
| OVER |
"My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you."
Note.- Not normally used in VHF communications. |
| 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 a question requiring "READ BACK or a direct answer in the affirmative (AFFIRM) or negative (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.-UNABLE is normally followed by a reason. |
| WlLCO |
"I understand your message and will comply with it."
(Abbreviation for "will comply".) |
| 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 or group of words in this message will be sent twice." |
Standard speech radiotelephony communications, examples:
Pilot
… (RADIO FAILURE)
ATC
DLH5031, CLEARED ILS APPROACH RWY25L, ACKNOWLEDGE BY SQUAWK IDENT
- AFFIRM (NEVER say: “Affirmative”)
ATC
OCO125F, ABLE TO VACATE RWY 26?
Pilot
AFFIRM, OCO125F
- APPROVED (NEVER say: “Go ahead”, “Roger”, “Cleared to proceed”)
Pilot
DAT2018, STAND 421, REQUEST START-UP
ATC
DAT2018, START-UP APPROVED
ATC
TO ALL STATIONS, DELAY UNDETERMINED DUE TO BLOCKED RUNWAY BREAK DE-ICING IN PROGRESS ON RWY 25L
- BREAK BREAK (Remark: Avoid as much as possible !! )
ATC
DAL125, CONTACT BRUSSELS TOWER 120.775 BREAK BREAK AFR1756, TURN RIGHT HEADING 160
ATC
BAW376, HOLD POSITION, CANCEL TAKE-OFF, I SAY AGAIN CANCEL TAKE-OFF
ATC
VLM777, CHECK GEAR DOWN
ATC
DAT77F, CHECK INFORMATION DELTA
ATC
TUB2304, CLEARED LEAL VIA KOK1M DEPARTURE, FL60, SQUAWK 0152
ATC
TFF561, CONFIRM ON COURSE TO HAAMSTEDE (HSD)
ATC
MAS6733, CONTACT BRUSSELS GROUND 121.87
ATC
KLM1728, QNH 1017
Pilot
QNH 1017, KLM1728
ATC
KLM1728, CORRECT
ATC
IBE3205, DESCEND TO FL90, CORRECTION DESCEND TO FL80
ATC
AZA157, HOLD POSITION ABEAM STAND 240
Pilot
HOLD POSITION ABEAM STAND 240, AZA157
ATC
AZA157, DISREGARD, CONTINUE TAXI AS CLEARED
ATC
TCW7655, HOW DO YOU READ?
Pilot
READ YOU 2, TCW7655
Possible readability 'values':
1.UNREADABLE
2.READABLE NOW AND THEN
3.READABLE BUT WITH DIFFICULTY
4.READABLE
5.PERFECTLY READABLE
ATC
TAY885, HOLD POSITION, I SAY AGAIN , HOLD POSITION
ATC
DAT26A, MAINTAIN 3000 feet
ATC
DEOFT, MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION UNTIL ENTERING CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
- MONITOR (DO NOT use to establish 2-way communication )
ATC
BCS777, MONITOR TOWER 120.775
BCS777 monitors 120.775 and waits until Tower controller calls him
ATC
VEX32K, MONITOR DEPARTURE ATIS 121.750
ATC
DLH14W, REQUEST DESCENT
Pilot
DLH14W, NEGATIVE TRAFFIC BELOW!
- READ BACK (NEVER say: “Did you copy?” )
ATC
EIN635, TAXI HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 07R VIA OUTER, QNH 998
Pilot
TAXI HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 07R VIA OUTER, EIN635
ATC
EIN635, READBACK QNH
Pilot
QNH 998, EIN635
ATC
EIN635, CORRECT
ATC
CKS223, TAXI HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 25R VIA OUTER B1
Pilot
REQUEST FULL RUNWAY LENGTH, CKS233
ATC
CKS233, RECLEARED HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 25R VIA OUTER E6 F5 W4, CROSS 20
ATC
DAT54E, DESCEND FL130, REPORT PASSING FL150
Pilot
DESCEND TO FL130, REPORT PASSING FL150, DAT54E
Pilot
REQUEST CLIMB TO 2000 feet FOR SIMULATED FORCED LANDING, OONZL
ATC
OONZL, CLIMB TO 2000 feet FOR SIMULATED FORCED LANDING
- ROGER (DO NOT use when a " READ BACK" or “AFFIRM” or “NEGATIVE” are required
NEVER say: “ROGER THAT”, “Okay”, “COPIED”, “COPIED THAT” !!
ATC
EWG754, EXPECT START-UP IN 2 MINUTES
Pilot
ROGER, EWG754
"ROGER THAT "
"COPIED "
"COPIED THAT "
"OKAY "
"YES "
Pilot
ANTWERP TOWER, N4375Y REQUEST CLEARANCE FOR FLIGHT TO THE EAST
ATC
STATION CALLING, SAY AGAIN CALLSIGN ?
Pilot
BRUSSELS FLIGHT INFORMATION, OOLOL VFR FLIGHT FROM EBKT TO EBUL VIA Gullegem St-Eloois-winkel Oekene Ardooie Schuiferskapelle Lotenhulle Bruggewijk Buntelare AT 1200 feet, REQUEST FLIGHT INFORMATION
ATC
… STATION CALLING, SAY AGAIN AND SPEAK SLOWER
- STANDBY (The caller will try to re-establish contact if the delay is lengthy - STANDBY does not mean you may proceed)
Pilot
READY FOR PUSH-BACK, SQC2428
ATC
SQC2428, STANDBY
UNABLE is normally followed by a reason :
ATC
DAT72K, REDUCE SPEED TO 160 kts AND INCREASE RATE OF DESCENT
Pilot
UNABLE, DAT654
ATC
BMA237, REPORT READY FOR DESCENT
Pilot
WILCO, BMA237
Pilot
''OSTEND APPROACH, O..GK, OVERHEAD… 500… REQUEST…
ATC
STATION CALLING OSTEND APPROACH, SAY AGAIN, WORDS TWICE