Aviation Communication Guidelines

### Abbreviations and Q Codes

• CHEROKEE XY-ABC is abbreviated as CHEROKEE BC, focusing on the aircraft's identification
• The Q code for TRUE BEARING from a station is QTE
• The abbreviation for a control zone is CTR

Aircraft Distress and Urgency

• When an aircraft is in imminent danger and requires immediate assistance, it's considered a DISTRESS condition
• The words preceding an URGENCY message should be "Pan Pan Pan" (repeated three times)
• An URGENCY message indicates a concern about an aircraft, vehicle, or person on board, but doesn't require immediate assistance.

### Transponder Codes

• The selection of code 7600 on a transponder indicates a loss of communications.
• To reset the transponder, you should reselect the numbers on the control unit.

### ATC Communications

• When asking for a repeat of a message, say "SAY AGAIN."
• The word "DECIMAL" can never be omitted when reporting a frequency.
• The message "READABILITY 3" means that your transmission is readable but with difficulty.
• "AFFIRMATIVE" is used to say "yes" and "STANDBY" means "wait and I will call you."
• The correct reply to the instruction "HOLD SHORT AT RUNWAY" is "HOLDING SHORT."
• The term "DISREGARD" means "ignore."
• The message "CHECK" to an aircraft means to examine a system or procedure.
• The term "CORRECTION" is used when an error has been made in the transmission and the correct version is provided.
• The response to a general call from ATC is to give no response.

### IFR Flight Procedures

• If a transponder is unserviceable before an IFR departure, the pilot may proceed with the flight with ATC permission.
• Following a communication failure, aim to leave the hold at the EAT or ETA (estimated arrival time).

### Other Key Information

• The frequency on which ATIS can be found is a discrete VHF or VOR frequency.
• The call from an aircraft for a missed approach is "GOING AROUND."
• In aeronautical communications, the time is always UTC (Universal Time Coordinated).
• When making a blind transmission, transmit the message twice.
• The full range of VHF frequencies used for communications is 118.0 to 136.975 MHz.
• Altitude is read as "ONE THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET" for 13,500 feet.
• The instruction "MONITOR" means to listen out on the specified frequency.

Aircraft Communications Abbreviation

• CHEROKEE XY-ABC is abbreviated to CHEROKEE BC

Q Codes

• QDR - magnetic bearing from a station
• QFE - height above aerodrome level
• QUJ - height above sea level
• QTE - true bearing from a station

Distress and Urgency

• DISTRESS - the aircraft is in imminent danger and requires immediate assistance
• URGENCY - concern for the safety of the aircraft or a person on board or other vehicle, but there is no need for immediate assistance
• Pan Pan Pan - precedes urgency message
• Mayday Mayday Mayday - precedes distress message

ATIS

• ATIS - automatic terminal information service
• ATIS is transmitted on a discrete VHF or VOR frequency

Aircraft Communications

• OVERSHOOTING, TOUCH AND GO, GOING AROUND, ABORTING - are all used to communicate the aircraft's intention (e.g., missed approach)
• SAY AGAIN - used when requesting a repeat of a message.
• DECIMAL - never ommited when reporting a frequency
• RESET SQUAWK - reselect the numbers on the control unit
• READABILITY 3 - means readable but with difficulty
• AFFIRMATIVE - the phrase used to say "yes"
• STANDBY - used by ATC to tell the pilot to wait
• HOLD SHORT AT RUNWAY - the correct reply is HOLDING SHORT
• CHECK - ATC asks the pilot to examine a system or procedure
• LINE UP - has the same priority as “TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 20”
• CANCEL TAKE-OFF - the instruction from ATC to an aircraft to abandon its take-off includes the phrase STOP IMMEDIATELY
• CORRECTION - used when an error has been made in the transmission and the correct version is to be given
• DISREGARD - means ignore
• WORK IN PROGRESS ON TAXIWAY - the highest priority - eg. Clear to land and Mayday
• General calls from ATC - the aircraft should give no response

Flight Information Service

• AFIS - aerodrome flight information service
• VHF Frequency range - 118.0 to 136.975 MHz

IFR Departures

• If a transponder is unserviceable before an IFR departure, then the pilot may proceed with the flight with ATC permission.

Communications Failure

• In the event of communications failure, the aircraft should aim to leave the hold within 10 minutes of the EAT or ETA

Clearance Limit

• the point to which aircraft is granted ATC clearance

Other

• ATC - Air Traffic Control
• UTC - Coordinated Universal Time
• EAT - Estimated Arrival Time
• ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
• VOR - VHF Omnidirectional Range
• VHF - very-high frequency