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General

Description of Level

ATC instructions or clearances may contain a specific level to comply with.

Levels are transmitted using the following formats:

  • FLIGHT LEVEL (Number)
  • (Number) METRES
  • (Number) FEET

This (level) description will be used throughout this document.

Examples:

  • FLIGHT LEVEL 90
  • FLIGHT LEVEL 340
  • 300 METRES
  • 8500 FEET

Speed Control

ATC Speed Instructions:

  • REPORT SPEED
  • MAINTAIN (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS) [OR GREATER (or OR LESS)] [UNTIL (Significant Point)]
  • DO NOT EXCEED (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS)
  • MAINTAIN PRESENT SPEED
  • INCREASE (or REDUCE) SPEED TO (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS) [OR GREATER (or OR LESS)]
  • INCREASE (or REDUCE) SPEED BY (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS)
  • RESUME NORMAL SPEED
  • REDUCE TO MINIMUM APPROACH SPEED
  • REDUCE TO MINIMUM CLEAN SPEED
  • RESUME PUBLISHED SPEED

Canceling Speed Restrictions:

  • NO [ATC] SPEED RESTRICTIONS

Pilot Response to Speed Queries:

  • SPEED (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS)

Level Changes, Reports, and Rate

Climb Instructions:

  • CLIMB TO (Level)
  • CLIMB TO AND MAINTAIN BLOCK (Level) TO (Level)
  • CLIMB TO REACH (Level) AT (Time or Significant Point)
  • CLIMB TO (Level), REPORT LEAVING/REACHING/PASSING (Level)
  • CLIMB AT (Number) FEET PER MINUTE [OR GREATER/LESS]
  • CLIMB AT (Number) METRES PER SECOND [OR GREATER/LESS]
  • REPORT STARTING ACCELERATION (or DECELERATION). (only for supersonic jets)

Descent Instructions:

  • DESCEND TO (Level)
  • DESCEND TO AND MAINTAIN BLOCK (Level) TO (Level)
  • DESCEND TO REACH (Level) AT (or BY) (Time or Significant Point)
  • DESCEND REPORT LEAVING (or REACHING, or PASSING) (Level)
  • DESCEND AT (Number) FEET PER MINUTE [OR GREATER/LESS]
  • DESCEND AT (Number) METRES PER SECOND [OR GREATER/LESS]
  • REPORT STARTING ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. (only for supersonic jets)

Climb and Descent Adjustments:

  • MAINTAIN AT LEAST (Number) METRES (or FEET) ABOVE (or BELOW) (Aircraft Call Sign)
  • STOP CLIMB (or DESCENT) AT (Level)
  • CONTINUE CLIMB (or DESCENT) TO (Level)
  • EXPEDITE CLIMB (or DESCENT) [UNTIL PASSING (Level)]
  • WHEN READY CLIMB (or DESCEND) TO (Level)
  • EXPECT CLIMB (or DESCENT) AT (Time or Significant Point)

Adding Restrictions to Climb/Descent:

  • CROSS (Significant Point) AT (or ABOVE, or BELOW) (Level)
  • CROSS (Significant Point) AT (Time) OR LATER (or BEFORE) AT (Level)
  • CRUISE CLIMB BETWEEN (Levels) (or ABOVE (Level))
  • CROSS (Distance) MILES, (GNSS or DME) [(Direction)] OF (Name of DME Station) OR (Distance) [(Direction)] OF (Significant Point) AT (or ABOVE or BELOW) (Level)

Altimeter Settings and Level Confirmation:

  • CHECK ALTIMETER SETTING AND CONFIRM (Level)
  • CONFIRM (Level)

Pilot Requests for Flight Level Change:

  • REQUEST LEVEL (or FLIGHT LEVEL or ALTITUDE)
  • REQUEST DESCENT AT (Time)

ATC Instructions for Immediate or Conditional Actions:

  • IMMEDIATELY
  • AFTER PASSING (Significant Point)
  • AT (Time or Significant Point)

ATC Instruction for Action When Convenient:

  • WHEN READY (Instruction)

ATC Instruction for Own Separation in VMC:

  • MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION AND VMC [FROM (Level)] [TO (Level)]
  • MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION AND VMC ABOVE (or BELOW, or TO) (Level)

Handling Compliance Uncertainty:

  • IF UNABLE (Alternative Instructions) AND ADVISE

Pilot Response When Unable to Comply:

  • UNABLE

TCAS Alert Management

Pilot and ATC Exchange During TCAS RA (Resolution Advisory):

  • Pilot: "TCAS RA."
  • ATC: "ROGER."

After Resolving the TCAS RA and Returning to ATC Clearance:

  • Pilot: "CLEAR OF CONFLICT, RETURNING TO (Assigned Clearance)."
  • ATC: "ROGER (or Alternative Instructions)."

After Resolving TCAS RA and Resuming Assigned ATC Clearance:

  • Pilot: "CLEAR OF CONFLICT, (Assigned Clearance) RESUMED."
  • ATC: "ROGER (or Alternative Instructions)."

If ATC Issues a Contradictory Instruction During an RA Event:

  • Pilot: "UNABLE, TCAS RA."
  • ATC: "ROGER."

Maneuver Instructions

ATC Instructions for Specific Maneuvers:

  • MAKE A THREE SIXTY TURN LEFT (or RIGHT) [Reason]
  • ORBIT LEFT (or RIGHT) [Reason]
  • MAKE ALL TURNS RATE ONE (or RATE HALF, or (Number) DEGREES PER SECOND) START AND STOP ALL TURNS ON THE COMMAND "NOW"
  • TURN LEFT (or RIGHT) NOW
  • STOP TURN NOW

Reasons for Vectoring or Maneuvers:

  • DUE TRAFFIC
  • FOR SPACING
  • FOR DELAY
  • FOR DOWNWIND (or BASE, or FINAL)

Transfer of Control and Frequency Changes

ATC Transfer Instructions:

  • CONTACT (Unit Call Sign) (Frequency) [NOW]
  • WHEN READY CONTACT (Unit Call Sign) (Frequency)
  • REMAIN THIS FREQUENCY

Pilot Request for Frequency Change:

  • REQUEST CHANGE TO (Frequency)
  • ATC: "FREQUENCY CHANGE APPROVED."

ATC Instruction to Stand By:

  • STAND BY FOR (Unit Call Sign) (Frequency)

ATC Instruction to Monitor a Frequency:

  • MONITOR (Unit Call Sign) (Frequency)
    • Example: "MONITOR UNICOM 122.8."

Entering Airspace Clearance

ATC Instructions for Entering/Leaving Controlled Airspace:

  • ENTER CONTROLLED AIRSPACE (or CONTROL ZONE) [VIA (Significant Point or Route)] AT (Level) [AT (Time)]
  • LEAVE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE (or CONTROL ZONE) [VIA (Significant Point or Route)] AT (Level) (or CLIMBING, or DESCENDING)

ATC Instruction for Specific Route with Restrictions:

  • JOIN (Specify) AT (Significant Point) AT (Level) [AT (Time)]

Termination of Radar Service

ATC Instructions for Ending Radar Services:

  • RADAR SERVICE (or IDENTIFICATION) TERMINATED [DUE (Reason)] (Instructions)
  • WILL SHORTLY LOSE IDENTIFICATION (Appropriate Instructions or Information)
  • IDENTIFICATION LOST [Reasons] (Instructions)

Change of Call Sign

When an ATC unit has two aircraft with similar call signs that could cause confusion, the controller may instruct one aircraft to change its call sign.

Example of Conflicting Call Signs:

  • AFR145 and AFR945

ATC Instructions for Call Sign Change:

  • CHANGE YOUR CALL SIGN TO (New Call Sign) [UNTIL FURTHER ADVISED]
  • REVERT TO FLIGHT PLAN CALL SIGN (Call Sign) [AT (Significant Point)]

Traffic Information

ATC Instructions for Providing Traffic Information:

  • TRAFFIC (Information)
  • TRAFFIC (Number) O'CLOCK (Distance) (Direction of Flight) [Any Other Pertinent Information]

Additional Descriptors for Traffic Reports:

  • UNKNOWN
  • SLOW MOVING
  • FAST MOVING
  • CLOSING
  • OPPOSITE (or SAME) DIRECTION
  • OVERTAKING
  • CROSSING LEFT TO RIGHT (or RIGHT TO LEFT)
  • (Aircraft Type)
  • (Level)
  • CLIMBING (or DESCENDING)

ATC Notification for No Reported Traffic:

  • NO REPORTED TRAFFIC

ATC Guidance for Avoiding Action:

  • DO YOU WANT VECTORS?

Pilot Requests for Avoiding Action Vectors:

  • REQUEST VECTORS

ATC Instructions for Immediate Avoidance:

  • TURN LEFT (or RIGHT) IMMEDIATELY HEADING (Three Digits) TO AVOID [UNIDENTIFIED] TRAFFIC (Bearing by Clock-Reference and Distance)
  • TURN LEFT (or RIGHT) (Number of Degrees) DEGREES IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID [UNIDENTIFIED] TRAFFIC AT (Bearing by Clock-Reference and Distance)

ATC Notification for No More Traffic Threats:

  • CLEAR OF TRAFFIC [Appropriate Instructions]

Pilot Acknowledgement of Traffic Information:

  • LOOKING OUT
  • TRAFFIC IN SIGHT
  • NEGATIVE CONTACT [Reasons]
  • [ADDITIONAL] TRAFFIC (Direction) BOUND (Type of Aircraft) (Level) ESTIMATED (or OVER) (Significant Point) AT (Time)
  • TRAFFIC IS (Classification) UNMANNED FREE BALLOON(S) WAS [or ESTIMATED] OVER (Place) AT (Time) REPORTED (Level(s)) [or LEVEL UNKNOWN] MOVING (Direction) (Other Pertinent Information, If Any)

Meteorological Conditions

ATC Wind Information:

  • [SURFACE] WIND (Number) DEGREES (Speed) (Units)
  • WIND AT (Level) (Number) DEGREES (Number) KILOMETRES PER HOUR (or KNOTS)
    • Note: Wind is always expressed by giving the mean direction and speed and any significant variations thereof.

ATC Runway Visual Range (RVR) Information:

  • RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE (or RVR) [RUNWAY (Number)] (Distance) (Units)
  • RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE (or RVR) RUNWAY (Number) NOT AVAILABLE (or NOT REPORTED)

Multiple RVR Observations:

  • RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE (or RVR) [RUNWAY (Number)] (First Position) (Distance) (Units), (Second Position) (Distance) (Units), (Third Position) (Distance) (Units)
    • Note 1: Multiple RVR observations represent the touchdown zone, midpoint, and roll-out/stop end zone, respectively.
    • Note 2: When reports for all three locations are given, the location names may be omitted if passed in this order.

ATC RVR Information When One Position is Unavailable:

  • RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE (or RVR) [RUNWAY (Number)] (First Position) (Distance) (Units), (Second Position) NOT AVAILABLE, (Third Position) (Distance) (Units)

Other Weather Information Provided by ATC:

  • PRESENT WEATHER (Details)
  • CLOUD (Amount, [(Type)] and Height of Base) (Units)
  • SKY CLEAR
  • CAVOK (Pronounced CAV-O-KAY)
  • TEMPERATURE [MINUS] (Number) (and/or DEWPOINT [MINUS] (Number))
  • QNH (Number) [Units]
  • QFE (Number) [(Units)]
  • (Aircraft Type) REPORTED (Description) ICING (or TURBULENCE) [IN CLOUD] (Area) (Time)
  • REPORT FLIGHT CONDITIONS

Position Reporting

ATC Instructions for Position Reporting:

  • REPORT PASSING (Significant Point)
  • NEXT REPORT AT (Significant Point)

ATC Instruction to Omit Position Reports Until a Certain Point:

  • OMIT POSITION REPORTS [UNTIL (Specify)]

ATC Instruction to Resume Position Reporting:

  • RESUME POSITION REPORTING

ATC Instruction to Request a Report at a Specific Location or Distance:

  • REPORT (Distance) MILES (GNSS or DME) FROM (Name of DME Station) (or Significant Point)

ATC Instruction to Report Position Using VOR Radial:

  • REPORT PASSING (Three Digits) RADIAL (Name of VOR) VOR

ATC Instruction to Request a Report of Present Position:

  • REPORT (GNSS or DME) DISTANCE FROM (Significant Point) or (Name of DME Station)

Typical Pilot Position Report:

  • (Distance) MILES (GNSS or DME) FROM (Name of DME Station) (or Significant Point)
  • (Coordinates North/South) and (Coordinates East/West)

Aerodrome Information

ATC Instructions Regarding Aerodrome Conditions:

  • [(Location)] RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION RUNWAY (Number) (Condition)
  • [(Location)] RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION RUNWAY (Number) NOT CURRENT
  • LANDING SURFACE (Condition)
  • CAUTION CONSTRUCTION WORK (Location)
  • CAUTION (Specify Reasons) RIGHT (or LEFT), (or BOTH SIDES) OF RUNWAY [Number]
  • CAUTION WORK IN PROGRESS (or OBSTRUCTION) (Position and Any Necessary Advice)

Runway Surface Reports and Braking Action:

  • RUNWAY REPORT AT (Observation Time) RUNWAY (Number) (Type of Precipitant) UP TO (Depth of Deposit) MILLIMETRES. ESTIMATED SURFACE FRICTION GOOD (or MEDIUM TO GOOD, or MEDIUM, or MEDIUM TO POOR, or POOR)
  • BRAKING ACTION REPORTED BY (Aircraft Type) AT (Time) GOOD (or MEDIUM TO GOOD, or MEDIUM, or MEDIUM TO POOR, or POOR)

Additional Runway or Taxiway Conditions:

  • RUNWAY (or TAXIWAY) (Number) WET [or STANDING WATER, or SNOW REMOVED (Length and Width as Applicable), or TREATED, or COVERED WITH PATCHES OF DRY SNOW (or WET SNOW, or COMPACTED SNOW, or SLUSH, or FROZEN SLUSH, or ICE, or WET ICE, or ICE UNDERNEATH, or ICE AND SNOW, or SNOWDRIFTS, or FROZEN RUTS AND RIDGES)]

Additional Observations:

  • TOWER OBSERVES (Weather Information)
  • PILOT REPORTS (Weather Information)

Issuance of Clearance

ATC Clearance Given to the Pilot:

  • (Aircraft Call Sign) CLEARED TO (or FOR) (Clearance)
    • Example: N52515, Runway 10, cleared to land.
    • Example: N11444, Runway 33R, cleared for take-off.

Reporting ATC Clearance Given by Another ATC Unit:

  • (Name of Unit) CLEARS (Aircraft Call Sign) TO (Clearance)

Modified Clearance Given by ATC:

  • RECLEARED (Amended Clearance Details) [REST OF CLEARANCE UNCHANGED]
  • RECLEARED (Amended Route Portion) TO (Significant Point of Original Route) [REST OF CLEARANCE UNCHANGED]

Types of Clearance:

  • Departure Clearance
  • Arrival Clearance
  • Crossing Zone Clearance
  • Flight Plan Change Clearance

Indicating Route and Clearance Limit:

  • FROM (Location) TO (Location)
  • TO (Location)
  • TO (Location), DIRECT
  • TO (Location), VIA (Route and/or Significant Points)
  • TO (Location), FLIGHT PLANNED ROUTE
  • TO (Location), VIA (Distance) DME ARC (Direction) OF (Name of DME Station)

When Clearance Cannot Be Issued or Followed:

  • (Route) NOT AVAILABLE DUE (Reason) ALTERNATIVE(S) IS/ARE (Routes) ADVISE.
  • CANNOT BE ISSUED
  • UNABLE, TRAFFIC (Direction) BOUND (Type of Aircraft) (Level)
  • ESTIMATED (or OVER) (Significant Point) AT (Time) CALL SIGN
  • (Call Sign) ADVISE INTENTIONS.

Transponder Mode and Code

ATC Instructions to Change or Check the Transponder Mode and/or Code:

  • RESET SQUAWK [(Mode)] (Code)
  • CONFIRM SQUAWK (Code)

Pilot Readback for Transponder Instructions:

  • RESETTING [(Mode)] (Code)
  • SQUAWKING (Code)

ATC Instruction for Squawking IDENT Procedure:

  • SQUAWK [(Code)] [AND] IDENT

ATC Request for Suspension of Transponder Operation (Standby Mode):

  • SQUAWK STANDBY

ATC Request for Emergency Code (MAYDAY) Setting:

  • SQUAWK MAYDAY [CODE SEVEN-SEVEN-ZERO-ZERO]

ATC Request for Transmission of Pressure Altitude:

  • SQUAWK CHARLIE
  • TRANSMIT ADS-B ALTITUDE
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