AIM

4/3/14

4−2−2

Radio Communications Phraseology

(a)

Name of the facility being called;

(b)

Your full aircraft identification as filed in

the flight plan or as discussed in paragraph 4−2−4,

Aircraft Call Signs;

(c)

When operating on an airport surface,

state your position.

(d)

The type of message to follow or your

request if it is short; and

(e)

The word “Over” if required.

EXAMPLE

−

1. “New York Radio, Mooney Three One One Echo.”
2. “Columbia Ground, Cessna Three One Six Zero
Foxtrot, south ramp, I

−F−R Memphis.”

3. “Miami Center, Baron Five Six Three Hotel, request
V

−F−R traffic advisories.”

2.

Many FSSs are equipped with Remote

Communications Outlets (RCOs) and can transmit on

the same frequency at more than one location. The

frequencies available at specific locations are

indicated on charts above FSS communications

boxes. To enable the specialist to utilize the correct

transmitter, advise the location and the frequency on

which you expect a reply.

EXAMPLE

−

St. Louis FSS can transmit on frequency 122.3 at either
Farmington, Missouri, or Decatur, Illinois, if you are in the
vicinity of Decatur, your callup should be “Saint Louis
radio, Piper Six Niner Six Yankee, receiving Decatur One
Two Two Point Three.”

3.

If radio reception is reasonably assured,

inclusion of your request, your position or altitude,

and the phrase “(ATIS) Information Charlie

received” in the initial contact helps decrease radio

frequency congestion. Use discretion; do not

overload the controller with information unneeded or

superfluous. If you do not get a response from the

ground station, recheck your radios or use another

transmitter, but keep the next contact short.

EXAMPLE

−

“Atlanta Center, Duke Four One Romeo, request V

−F−R

traffic advisories, Twenty Northwest Rome, seven thousand
five hundred, over.”

b. Initial Contact When Your Transmitting and

Receiving Frequencies are Different.

1.

If you are attempting to establish contact with

a ground station and you are receiving on a different

frequency than that transmitted, indicate the VOR

name or the frequency on which you expect a reply.

Most FSSs and control facilities can transmit on

several VOR stations in the area. Use the appropriate

FSS call sign as indicated on charts.

EXAMPLE

−

New York FSS transmits on the Kennedy, the Hampton, and
the Calverton VORTACs. If you are in the Calverton area,
your callup should be “New York radio, Cessna Three One
Six Zero Foxtrot, receiving Calverton V

−O−R, over.”

2.

If the chart indicates FSS frequencies above

the VORTAC or in the FSS communications boxes,

transmit or receive on those frequencies nearest your

location.

3.

When unable to establish contact and you

wish to call any ground station, use the phrase “ANY

RADIO (tower) (station), GIVE CESSNA THREE

ONE SIX ZERO FOXTROT A CALL ON

(frequency) OR (V−O−R).” If an emergency exists or

you need assistance, so state.

c. Subsequent Contacts and Responses to

Callup from a Ground Facility.

Use the same format as used for the initial contact

except you should state your message or request with

the callup in one transmission. The ground station

name and the word “Over” may be omitted if the

message requires an obvious reply and there is no

possibility for misunderstandings. You should
acknowledge all callups or clearances

 unless the

controller or FSS specialist advises otherwise. There

are some occasions when controllers must issue

time-critical instructions to other aircraft, and they

may be in a position to observe your response, either

visually or on radar. If the situation demands your

response, take appropriate action or immediately

advise the facility of any problem. Acknowledge with

your aircraft identification, either at the beginning or

at the end of your transmission, and one of the words

“Wilco,” “Roger,” “Affirmative,” “Negative,” or

other appropriate remarks; e.g., “PIPER TWO ONE

FOUR LIMA, ROGER.” If you have been receiving

services; e.g., VFR traffic advisories and you are

leaving the area or changing frequencies, advise the

ATC facility and terminate contact.

d. Acknowledgement of Frequency Changes.

1.

When advised by ATC to change frequencies,

acknowledge the instruction. If you select the new

frequency without an acknowledgement, the control-

ler’s workload is increased because there is no way of

knowing whether you received the instruction or have

had radio communications failure.