There are magic aviation words that may not parallel the dictionary definition, but they have specific meanings in radio transmissions. A single word may communicate a full sentence of important information. Some are found in FAA publications such as the Aeronautical Information Manual, but some are commonly accepted without being official. Other words are best not used in radio transmissions - not because they are vulgar, but because they are confusing.
Advise intentions. Sometimes expressed as say intentions, this is not what you are asked by your date's father. Rather the controller wants to know what you will be doing next, as you have reached a decision point - for example, you have just completed a touch and go, and the controller wants to know what you plan next.
Affirmative, Negative. Never say "yes" or "no." These short but vital words are often clipped in transmission. Use the longer words that are less likely to be misheard or cut.
Break. When the frequency becomes very congested, the controller may not have time for confirmation of a transmission. When he or she uses the word "break," that is your cue not to respond. Just do what you were told. There will be plenty of time to acknowledge later. "Piper Three-Four-Golf, turn right heading 360, break. Cessna Niner-Seven-Alpha, contact Tower on ...."
Immediate. Do it now! ATC expects action first, and the two of you can talk later.
Minimum fuel. You are telling the controller that you have concerns about the amount of fuel left, and while you are not declaring an emergency (yet), you cannot tolerate any delay. You are requesting flight directly to the airport.
Monitor. "Cessna Two-Three-Tango, monitor frequency 124.5." That means you should switch to that frequency and just listen until you are called.
My frequency. Air traffic control may say "Piper Five-Six-Golf, change to my frequency 134.25." The "my" means you will be talking to the same controller, but on a new frequency that is better received in the area in which you are flying. There is no need to respond "Piper Five-Six-Golf, changing to frequency 124.45." Simply change to the new frequency and then say "Piper Five-Six-Golf on 124.45." That saves several transmissions.
The numbers. You have been listening to a control tower's communications for several minutes and heard the active runway, wind, cloud cover, and altimeter setting. By saying "Cessna Two-Three-Four Lima-November with the numbers" you save the tower a long transmission.
Negative contact or No joy: Either response is better than "I am looking and I do not see the aircraft you pointed out."
Progressive: When you are unfamiliar with the layout of an airport and are not sure how to taxi to or from a runway, ask for progressive taxi instructions. "Cessna Two-Three-Four-Tango-Lima requests progressive to Eastwind Aviation." I offer no apologies using this word at large airports at night. Even with a taxi diagram, it can be difficult to negotiate the multiple taxiways, and asking for assistance helps to avoid a runway incursion.
Radar. If you don't know whether you are speaking to departure or approach control say, "Raleigh Radar, Cessna Two-One-Three-Four-Lima ...."
Radio. When calling a Flight Service Station address the specialist as "Millville Radio..."
Roger. This word may have been introduced by the original fictional spaceman, Buck Rogers. Some claim "Roger" was part of the old phonetic alphabet and the letter "R" was used by telegraphers meaning received. Roger means a communication has been received, you are finished talking and are ready to receive another. It does not mean you will comply! Some old-timers prefer to use over in its place, meaning the transmission is completed, and they may even say "over and out," when no reply is expected.
Say again. This is a nice short way to say, "I did not hear or understand what you said. Would you please repeat it."
Say altitude/airspeed/heading. The controller is asking you to reply with specific information. Say altitude is quicker than What is your altitude now?
Squawk. Specifically pertains to transponder operation. As there are few controls on a transponder, there are limited possibilities: "Squawk 4327." "Squawk standby." "Squawk altitude." (See "Return to Sender," April AOPA Flight Training.)
Stand by. When you hear "Cessna Four-Five-Yankee, stand by," don't do anything, and don't say anything. When a controller says, "Stand by," do not reply until you are again addressed. Responding, "Cessna November Three-Four-Five-Seven-Tango, I understand you want me to stand by, and I will, roger," is merely cluttering the frequency.
Student pilot. Don't be embarrassed to use this phrase. Every pilot was once a student with only a few hours in the air. Let air traffic control know you are a student pilot, and they will afford extra courtesies and will be sure they are understood. "Cessna Two-Three-One-Four-Yankee, student pilot, would appreciate vectors to North Las Vegas airport." Remember, once you pass the private pilot checkride, this privilege is no longer available to you, so why not use it while you have it?
Tally ho, Traffic in sight. Now you have spotted the traffic. Don't say, "I finally found the aircraft you pointed out."
Traffic. "Cessna Two-Three-Four-Five-Yankee, traffic 11 o'clock, five miles." That is more tidy than "Cessna Two-Three-Four-Five-Yankee, there is another possibly conflicting aircraft at your 11 o'clock position and five miles."
Wilco. This is a nice professional contraction that means, "I have heard and understand what you said and will comply."
Words twice. After the request "Say again," you still cannot make out what the controller is saying. In this predicament with communication difficult you request "Words twice." The response will be "Piper Seven-Seven-Three-Eight, Piper Seven-Seven-Three-Eight, turn, turn, heading, heading, 280, 280."
Unable. This is a wonderful word that immediately informs a controller that you cannot comply with his or her request. (Or perhaps the controller must tell you he cannot grant your request.) "Aeronca Three-Four-Whiskey, maintain 150 knots on final for spacing." You simply reply "Three-Four-Whiskey, unable!" "Cessna Two-Three-Four-Five-Yankee requests transition through Kennedy Space Center restricted areas." "Cessna Two-Three-Four-Five-Yankee, unable." Enough said.
Unfamiliar. Do not be afraid to use this word to confess you are not familiar with a geographical landmark, VOR, intersection, or airport. "McGuire Radar, Cessna Two-Three-Four-Seven-Golf, unfamiliar Dixie [intersection]."
Words or phrases not to use
Ah ... Why fill the air with meaningless noise?
ATIS (automatic terminal information service). Telling a controller you "have the ATIS" is useless. The only reason to use the term "ATIS" in communications is to say "Unable ATIS." The correct way to confirm you have listened to the ATIS is by saying "Cessna Three-Three-Yankee has Information Tango." ATIS is implied. When ATIS broadcasts are updated, the alphabet code is changed to the next letter. Controllers do not know if you have the latest unless you give the current phonetic letter, and they will have to ask you if you are not specific. In busy metropolitan areas several airports may have ATIS broadcasts, and the code letter confirms which airport's ATIS you have received. It prevents confusion as to where you expect to land. For example, Detroit Metropolitan, Detroit Willow Grove, and Detroit Grosse Ile each broadcast ATIS information. However, only certain letters of the alphabet are assigned to each, so controllers know which field's ATIS you have received.
Blocked. This word indicates that one transmission has prevented another. However, it is often used by a third party who then succeeds in blocking the attempt by the first two parties trying to have meaningful communication. Use this word sparingly.
For. This word should not be used. "Four" should mean the number "4" only.
I am ...at ... Of course you know who you are, but instead of "I am Cessna Three-Niner-Zulu level at 2,000 feet, roger," it is more efficient to just say "Cessna Three-Niner-Zulu level 2,000." Note the deletion of the words "I am," "feet" and "at."
Right. This should only mean a direction - right or left. If you mean "correct," say "correct," and if you mean "yes," say "affirmative."
To. This word should be rarely used except as the number "2." If you use "to" as a conjunction, separate it from other numbers, "Turning to heading 220." Otherwise, the communication is confusing as in "Turning to two two zero." Say "Descending to maintain 2,200," and not the baffling "Descending to two two hundred."
Dr. Ian Blair Fries is a CFI, senior aviation medical examiner, and ATP, and holds a Lear 35 type rating. He serves on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board of visitors and is cochairman of the AOPA Board of Medical Advisors.
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