ATC Comms
AIM Ch 4 • Phraseology, Scripts, Live Practice
You requested taxi and Ground responds:
“Cherokee One Two Three Alfa Bravo, runway two, taxi via Delta, November”
Listen to the ATC instruction, then type your readback below.
Key Takeaways
- Standard phraseology words mean specific things — use them precisely.
- “Roger” = I have received all of your last transmission; it does NOT mean yes or that you will comply.
- “Affirmative/Negative” are reserved for yes/no questions; “Say again” requests a repeat.
- Hold-short clearances must always be read back; “unable” declines an instruction you can’t safely comply with (14 CFR §91.3).
- Lost comm: squawk 7600, continue VFR, land as soon as practical, and watch for tower light signals.
Standard Phraseology
AIM 4-2The words mean specific things — use them precisely
Yes/No. Only for yes/no questions.
"ATC: "Going to KAVN?" You: "Affirmative""
I have received all of your last transmission. Does NOT mean yes or that you will comply.
"ATC: "Traffic two oclock" You: "Roger, Cherokee two eight two""
Please repeat. Standard request for repetition.
""Cherokee two eight two, say again?""
You see the traffic ATC told you about.
""Traffic in sight, Cherokee two eight two""
Searching for or cannot find reported traffic.
""Looking for traffic, Cherokee two eight two""
ATC permission to do something.
""Cleared to land runway one four, Cherokee four one zero""
Stop before and do not cross. Always read back!
""Hold short of runway one four, Cherokee four one zero""
Taxi onto the runway, but do NOT take off until cleared.
""Line up and wait runway two, Cherokee two eight two""
Push the transponder IDENT button to highlight on radar.
"ATC: "Cherokee two eight two, ident" (push button)"
Switch to the new frequency and call them.
""Contact tower one one niner point niner""
ATC has you on radar. No response required.
"ATC: "Cherokee two eight two, radar contact""
Set transponder to one two zero zero.
""Squawk VFR, Cherokee two eight two""
You choose: full stop, stop-and-go, touch-and-go, low approach, or missed approach.
""Runway one four, cleared for the option, Cherokee four one zero""
Stay in pattern, turn direction specified.
""Left closed traffic one four, Cherokee four one zero""
Your landing sequence. Look for that traffic.
""Number two, traffic in sight, Cherokee four one zero""
Continue downwind past normal base turn.
""Extend downwind, wilco, Cherokee eight six zero""
You can leave this frequency.
""Frequency change, Cherokee two eight two, good day""
Identify yourself — ATC will help more.
""Cherokee two eight two, student pilot, say again?""
Structure initial calls: Who you are calling, Who you are, Where you are, What you want.
""Aviation Approach (who calling), Cherokee 282 (who you are), 12 west at 5000 (where), inbound full stop (what)""
Decline an ATC instruction you can't safely comply with. PIC authority (14 CFR §91.3).
""Unable right turn due terrain, Cherokee two eight two""
MAYDAY = distress (life threatened). PAN-PAN = urgency (not immediately life-threatening). Say 3 times.
""Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Cherokee two eight two, engine failure...""
Squawk 7600 on radio failure. In VFR: continue VFR, land as soon as practical, watch for tower light signals.
"Set transponder to 7600, look for light gun signals, rock wings to acknowledge"
Key Takeaways
- Sample VFR exchanges walk through getting ATIS, ground, tower, departure, approach, and landing.
- Initial ground call adds ATIS code, location, and destination, then requests taxi.
- Avoid “takeoff” until cleared — say “ready for VFR departure” at the hold short.
- For traffic advisories, respond “traffic in sight,” “looking,” or “negative contact.”
These examples use a Cherokee callsign as the trainer aircraft. Adapt the type prefix and tail number to your assigned aircraft.
Sample Radio Calls
Common VFR exchanges — what you say, what you hear back
Getting ATIS
Listen on 124.15 and note: Wind, Visibility, Sky, Temp/Dew, Altimeter, Runway, NOTAMs
Ground: Initial Contact
Ground: Taxi Clearance
Tower: Ready for Departure
Tower: Takeoff Clearance
Departure: Initial Contact
Approach: Inbound
Tower: Landing
Traffic Advisory
Training aid only. Grading is approximate. Practice with a CFI.