Listed below are the most basic and common phrases that are used 90% of the time. Always adapt your prhaseology according to each situation.
The full phraseology guide can be found here.
Always consult local SOP documents for phraseology examples here.
| Phase | ATC Phraseology |
|---|---|
| IFR Clearance (RNAV SID) | (Callsign), cleared to (destination) airport, (SID) departure, (fix) transition, then as filed. Climb via the sid, expect (cruise level) 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency (freq), squawk (code). |
| IFR Clearance (Vectors) | (Callsign), cleared to (destination) airport, (SID) departure, radar vectors (fix), then as filed. Maintain (altitude), expect (cruise level) 10 minutes after departure. Departure frequency (freq), squawk (code). |
| Pushback (non-movement area) | Readback correct, start and push at your discrection, expect runway (rwy) for departure, advice when ready to taxi. |
| Pushback (movement area) | Readback correct, start and push approved, face (direction), expect runway (rwy) for departure, advice when ready to taxi. |
| Taxi | (Callsign), runway (rwy), taxi via (twy’s), cross/hold-short runway (rwy). |
| Line-up | (Callsign), runway (rwy), line up and wait. |
| Line-up at intersection | (Callsign), runway (rwy) at (twy), line up and wait. |
| Takeoff (RNAV) | (Callsign), RNAV (initial fix), wind (degrees) at (speed). Runway (rwy), cleared for takeoff. |
| Takeoff (Vectors) | (Callsign), fly heading (hdg), wind (degrees) at (speed). Runway (rwy), cleared for takeoff. |
| Takeoff at intersection | (Callsign), fly heading (hdg), wind (degrees) at (speed). Runway (rwy) at (twy), cleared for takeoff. |
| Landing | (Callsign), wind (degrees) at (speed), runway (rwy), cleared to land. |
| Landing w/ sequence | (Callsign), number 2, following a (aircraft) on (distance) mile final, wind (degrees) at (speed), runway (rwy), cleared to land. |
| Taxi-in | (Callsign), taxi to (parking) via (twy’s), hold short/cross runway (rwy). |
| Phase | ATC Phraseology |
|---|---|
| Class B Departure | (Callsign), cleared into the (airport) class bravo airspace, (direction of departure), maintain VFR at or below (altitude), departure frequency (APP freq), squawk (code). |
| Class C Departure | (Callsign), VFR departure approved, (direction of departure), maintain VFR at or below (altitude), departure frequency (APP freq), squawk (code). |
| Class D Departure | (Callsign), VFR departure approved, (direction of departure), maintain VFR at or below (altitude), departure frequency (APP freq). |
| Class B Pattern (departing) | (Callsign), cleared into the (airport) class bravo airspace, pattern altitude (altitude), expect (left/right) traffic runway (rwy), squawk (code). |
| Class B Pattern (arriving) | (Callsign), cleared into the (airport) class bravo airspace, enter left/right (leg) runway (rwy), squawk (code). |
| Class C & D Pattern (departing) | (Callsign), expect (left/right) traffic runway (rwy), taxi via (twy’s). |
| Class C & D Pattern (arriving) | (Callsign), enter left/right (leg) runway (rwy). |
| Class B Transitioning | (Callsign), squawk (code), cleared through the (airport) class bravo airspace, maintain VFR at (altitude). |
| Class C Transitioning | (Callsign), squawk (code), maintain VFR at or below (altitude), transition approved through Class Charlie airspace. |
| Class D Transitioning | (Callsign), transition through Class Delta airspace approved, maintain VFR at or below (altitude). |