Standard words and phrases
Standard words and phrases: fixed radiotelephony vocabulary for ATC and pilots, same meaning every time.
- Banned slang (RIC-21 5.5): "OK", "REPEAT", "TEN-FOUR", "OVER AND OUT", "BREAKER BREAKER", "COME IN PLEASE".
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACKNOWLEDGE | Let me know you received and understood this message |
| AFFIRMATIVE | Yes |
| APPROVED | Permission granted |
| BREAK | Separation between portions of the message |
| BREAK BREAK | Separation between messages for two different aircraft |
| CHECK | Examine a system or procedure |
| CLEARED | Authorized to proceed under the conditions specified |
| CONFIRM | Verify a clearance, instruction, action, or piece of information |
| CONTACT | Establish communication with the specified station |
| CORRECT | True or accurate |
| CORRECTION | Error in this transmission, correct version follows |
| DISREGARD | Ignore this transmission |
| EXPEDITE | Prompt compliance is required to avoid an imminent situation developing |
| GO AHEAD | Proceed with your message |
| I DO NOT UNDERSTAND | Please rephrase your last transmission |
| I SAY AGAIN | I repeat for clarity or emphasis |
| IMMEDIATELY | Immediate action is required for safety reasons |
| MONITOR | Listen to a frequency without checking in |
| NEGATIVE | No, permission not granted, not correct, or not capable |
| OUT | Conversation is ended, no response is expected |
| OVER | My transmission is ended, I expect a response |
| READ BACK | Repeat all, or the specified part, of this message back to me |
| RECLEARED | Your last clearance changed, superseding all or part of it |
| ROGER | I have received your transmission (mainly used by ATC, not pilots) |
| ROGER NUMBER | I have received your message Number ___ |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat all, or the specified part, of the last transmission |
| SPEAK SLOWER | Reduce your rate of speech |
| STAND BY | Wait, I will call you back, followed by the anticipated number of minutes of delay (RIC-21 5.7.2) |
| UNABLE | Cannot comply with the instruction, clearance, or request |
| WILCO | I understand the message and will comply |
| WITHOUT DELAY | Comply expeditiously, but specifically and safely |
| WORDS TWICE | Communication is difficult, say (or I will say) each word or group of words twice |
ATC-specific expanded phrases (TC AIM GEN 5.1):
- "Cleared for the option":
- Arriving: authorizes touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing, at the pilot's discretion.
- Departing: authorizes manoeuvres other than a normal takeoff; pilot then exits the runway the most expeditious way, no backtracking.
- "Go around": instructs the pilot to abandon an approach or landing.
- "Resume normal speed": previously issued speed restrictions cancelled. Published ones still apply unless ATC states otherwise.
- "When ready...": authorization to comply with a clearance or instruction at a future point, when convenient.
Interrupted transmission (NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology): "blocked", "stepped on", "two at once" all mean your transmission was interrupted or distorted by another.
Trap: GO AHEAD only means proceed with your transmission (NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology), never taxi authorization or request approval.
References
- TC AIM GEN 5.1
- NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology, Standard Words and Phrases
- RIC-21 5.5, Appendix B