Free reference
Eight stages from start-up to emergencies, in standard ICAO wording.
A flight told through its radio calls, from start-up to landing, using standard ICAO wording. Every example uses the call sign VT-ABC. Read it, then say it aloud.
Tune to the ATIS before you transmit and note its letter. Quote that letter in your first call to Ground.
PilotDelhi Ground, VT-ABC, Stand 12, IFR to Mumbai, FL 360, POB 120, request start-up, information Bravo.
ATCVT-ABC, Delhi Ground, start-up approved, QNH 1012.
ReadbackStart-up approved, QNH 1012, VT-ABC.
A clearance bundles the destination, route or departure, first level and transponder code. Repeat each part back, then finish with your call sign.
PilotDelhi Delivery, VT-ABC, request IFR clearance to Mumbai.
ATCVT-ABC, cleared to Mumbai via ABC1A departure, maintain FL 240, squawk 2341.
ReadbackCleared to Mumbai, ABC1A departure, FL 240, squawk 2341, VT-ABC.
Every taxi instruction ends at a point where you must stop. Repeat the runway, the route, any hold-short point and the QNH.
PilotDelhi Ground, VT-ABC, Stand 12, request taxi, information Bravo.
ATCVT-ABC, taxi to holding point runway 27 via taxiway Alpha, QNH 1012.
ReadbackTaxi to holding point runway 27 via Alpha, QNH 1012, VT-ABC.
Say you are ready from the holding point. When take-off is approved, repeat the runway so the controller knows you took the right one.
PilotDelhi Tower, VT-ABC, holding point runway 27, ready for departure.
ATCVT-ABC, wind 250 degrees 8 knots, runway 27, cleared for take-off.
ReadbackRunway 27, cleared for take-off, VT-ABC.
Give your current and cleared level on first contact with each new controller, and repeat every level instruction you receive.
PilotMumbai Control, VT-ABC, passing flight level 120 for flight level 360.
ATCVT-ABC, climb flight level 360.
ReadbackClimb flight level 360, VT-ABC.
Levels and altimeter settings must always be repeated back. Once you are lined up on the localiser, report that you are established.
ATCVT-ABC, descend flight level 100, QNH 1010.
ReadbackDescend flight level 100, QNH 1010, VT-ABC.
PilotMumbai Approach, VT-ABC, established ILS runway 27.
Acknowledge a landing clearance with the runway and your call sign, then call Ground once you have left the runway.
ATCVT-ABC, wind 270 degrees 6 knots, runway 27, cleared to land.
ReadbackRunway 27, cleared to land, VT-ABC.
PilotMumbai Ground, VT-ABC, runway vacated, request taxi to stand.
Distress opens with MAYDAY spoken three times, urgency with PAN PAN three times. Follow with your call sign, the problem, what you intend to do, position, level and number of people on board.
PilotMAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, Delhi Control, VT-ABC, engine failure, descending flight level 200, intend to land Jaipur, 120 persons on board.
Numbers are pronounced one digit at a time using the radiotelephony forms: ZE-RO, WUN, TOO, TREE, FOW-er, FIFE, SIX, SEV-en, AIT, NIN-er. A decimal point is DAY-SEE-MAL and a thousand is TOU-SAND. A flight level such as FL 350 is read as “flight level three five zero”.