Communications IFR: Fábio Guimarães

COMMUNICATIONS
IFR
Fábio Guimarães Session 1
Session 1 ‐ Objectives
• Transmission of Letters and Numbers;

• Transmission of Time;
• Transmition Technique;
• Standard Words and Phrases.
COMMUNICATIONS IFR 2
Transmition of Letters and Numbers
Introduction
The use of correct and precise standard phraseology in communications
between pilots and ground personnel is vitally important. Incidents and
accidents have occurred in which a contributing factor has been the
misunderstanding caused by the use of non-standard phraseology.
Therefore we need to ensure that we use the correct:

• Technique
• Phonetic sounds for letters and numbers
• Format for time
• Phraseology
• Call signs
• In some circumstances it could be difficult to hear clearly what is said

over the radio. Perhaps the aircraft is noisy, or the reception poor, or
there may be words or letters that sound similar and could be
confused. For example:
• The letter “A” with the number “8”;

• The letter “B” with “V”;
• The letter “D” with “T”.
• To help overcome these problems, a standard way of saying letters,

spellings, numbers and so on has been devised.
COMMUNICATIONS IFR
Note:
Some abbreviations, which by common and frequent use are understood,
don’t need to be spelled out. ILS, VOR, NDB, TACAN, DME, GPS, GNSS,
SELCAL, Q CODES (QFE, QNH, QDR, QDM).
Same aplies to reporting points, such as ADORO, UREDI, ORTOP,
TOSDI, etc.
COMMUNICATIONS IFR
All numbers, except as prescribed in 5.2.1.4.1.2, shall be transmitted by

pronouncing each digit separately.
Aircraft call sign Transmitted as:
TAP1931 Air Portugal one niner three one

EZY5672 Easyjet five six seven two
Flight level Transmitted as:
FL 180 Flight level one eight zero

FL 220 Flight level two two zero
Headings Transmitted as:
075 Degrees Heading zero seven five

350 Degrees Heading three five zero
Wind Direction and Speed Transmitted as:
200 Degrees 70 Knots Wind two zero zero degrees

seven zero knots
160 Degrees 18 Knots Wind one six zero degrees
Gusting 30 Knots one eight knots gusting three
zero knots
Transponder Codes Transmitted as:
2400 Squawk two four zero zero

4203 Squawk four two zero three
Runway Transmitted as:

17 Runway one seven
35 Runway three five
Altimeter Setting Transmitted as:

1010 QNH one zero one zero
1013 QNH one zero one three
Annex 10 – 5.2.1.4.1.2
5.2.1.4.1.2
All numbers used in the transmission of altitude, cloud height, visibility
and runway visual range (RVR) information, which contain whole
hundreds and whole thousands, shall be transmitted by pronouncing
each digit in the number of hundreds or thousands followed by the word
HUNDRED or THOUSAND as appropriate. Combinations of thousands
and whole hundreds shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit in
the number of thousands followed by the word THOUSAND followed by
the number of hundreds followed by the word HUNDRED.
Altitude Transmitted as:
800ft eight hundred feet

3400ft three thousand four hundred feet
12000ft one two thousand feet
Cloud Height Transmitted as:
2200ft two thousand two hundred feet

3500ft three thousand five hundred feet
Visibility Transmitted as:
700m seven hundred meters
1500m one thousand five hundred meters
5000m five kilometers
10000m one zero kilometers
Transmition of Time
All time references should be made in Coordinated Universal Time

(UTC) and using the 24 hour clock. This time zone is sometimes referred
to as Zulu (Z). 2400 is midnight and 0001 begins the new day.
When transmitting time, only the minutes of the hour are normally
required. However, the hour should be included if there is any possibility
of confusion.
Pilots may check the time with the appropriate ATS unit. Time checks
shall be given to thenearest half minute.
Transmition Technique
Listen
Before transmitting, check that the receiver volume is set and listen to
make sure you do not interrupt another transmission.
Microphone
Be familiar with your microphone. Do not turn your head or vary the
distance from the microphone. Distortion will result from:
• talking too close to the microphone

• touching the mike with the lips
• holding the boom of the microphone
Voice
• Use a normal conversational tone.
• Speak clearly and enunciate each word.
• Maintain the speaking volume at a constant level.
Rate of Speech
The correct rate of speech is about 100 words per minute, but if it is
known that the information needs to be written down, speak slower. ATC
controlers are really bad at this.
Hesitation
Avoid hesitation sounds such as er and um!
Transmit Switch
You should depress the transmit switch before speaking and do not
release it untilafter you finish. A common fault is to release the button
too soon.
Rate of Speech
The correct rate of speech is about 100 words per minute, but if it is
known that the information needs to be written down, speak slower. ATC
controllers can be very bad at this.
Long Messages
If you have a long message, pause occasionally. This allows time to
check that the frequency is still clear and gives time for the receiver to
request repetition or clarification of parts not received.
Standard Words and Phrases
Whenever possible, use standard words and phrases. Here is a list of

commonly used words and phrases which should be used in
radiotelephony communications as appropriate and shall have the
meaning shown.
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. (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. (No answer is normally expected).
Cleared
Authorized to proceed under the conditions specified.
Confirm
Have I correctly received the following ....? or did you correctly receive
the message?
Correct
That is correct.
Contact
Establish radio contact with .....
Correction
An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated).
The correct version is ....
Disregard
Ignore.
Go ahead
Proceed with your message.
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.
Monitor
Listen out on (frequency).
Negative
No or permission not granted or that is not correct.
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 and understood 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.
Unable
I cannot comply with your request, instruction or clearance.
Wilco
(Abbreviation for “will comply”). I understand your message and will
comply with it.
Words twice
As a request: Communication is difficult. Please send every word or
groups of words twice.
As information: Since communication is difficult, every word or group of

words in this message will be sent twice.
Questions
When asking for a repeat of a message, you should say:
a. WORDS TWICE
b. REPEAT MESSAGE
c. SPEAK SLOWER
d. SAY AGAIN
Questions
The time given in aeronautical communications is:
a. local mean time
b. in minutes only
c. UTC
d. daylight saving time
Questions
In order to make a message effective you should:
a. use words twice
b. speak slower
c. repeat the message
d. speak at a constant volume
Questions
The phrase to use when you want to say “yes” is:
a. AFFIRMATIVE
b. ROGER
c. WILCO
d. AFFIRM
Questions
The definition of the phrase “STANDBY” is:
a. consider the transmission as not sent
b. proceed with your message
c. wait and I will call you
d. hold your present position
References
•ICAO Annex 10 Vol. II
•Oxford ATPL Ground Training Series – Communications
•ICAO Doc. 9432 – Manual of Radiotelephony

Communications IFR: Fábio Guimarães

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COMMUNICATIONS

• Transmission of Letters and Numbers;

Therefore we need to ensure that we use the correct:

• In some circumstances it could be difficult to hear clearly what is said

• The letter “A” with the number “8”;

• To help overcome these problems, a standard way of saying letters,

All numbers, except as prescribed in 5.2.1.4.1.2, shall be transmitted by

Aircraft call sign Transmitted as:

TAP1931 Air Portugal one niner three one

Flight level Transmitted as:

FL 180 Flight level one eight zero

Headings Transmitted as:

075 Degrees Heading zero seven five

Wind Direction and Speed Transmitted as:

200 Degrees 70 Knots Wind two zero zero degrees

Transponder Codes Transmitted as:

2400 Squawk two four zero zero

Runway Transmitted as:

Altimeter Setting Transmitted as:

Altitude Transmitted as:

800ft eight hundred feet

Cloud Height Transmitted as:

2200ft two thousand two hundred feet

Visibility Transmitted as:

700m seven hundred meters

1500m one thousand five hundred meters

5000m five kilometers

10000m one zero kilometers

All time references should be made in Coordinated Universal Time

• talking too close to the microphone

Whenever possible, use standard words and phrases. Here is a list of

How do you read

Note: Under no circumstances to be used in reply to a question

As information: Since communication is difficult, every word or group of

When asking for a repeat of a message, you should say:

The time given in aeronautical communications is:

a. local mean time

d. daylight saving time

In order to make a message effective you should:

a. use words twice

c. repeat the message

d. speak at a constant volume

The phrase to use when you want to say “yes” is:

The definition of the phrase “STANDBY” is:

a. consider the transmission as not sent

b. proceed with your message

c. wait and I will call you

d. hold your present position

•ICAO Annex 10 Vol. II

•Oxford ATPL Ground Training Series – Communications

•ICAO Doc. 9432 – Manual of Radiotelephony

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