I'm looking for some information on radio phraseology. Can anyone provide a link to the terminollogy used on the radio. I am looking for a list of approved terms along with a definition.
I'd like to confirm the differences of proper radio usage and popular slangs.

Liveatc.net gives you a live tower feed....

Take a gander:

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.ns ... 01397.html

Thanks for the idea but I'm looking for something that would show the differences of terms like "Copy" vs "Roger". I understand that 10 codes are not used anymore and would like to see a current list of approved terms. I went to the Industry Canada website but couldn't find anything aside from some examples of radio use and the phonetic alphabet.

Ok, I did find some useful information on the Industry Canada site now. I overlooked some information while using my phone as a browser and was able to spot it on a larger screen.
here's what I found in case anyone else was interested.

4.5 Procedural Words and Phrases
While it is not practical to set down precise phraseology for all radiotelephone procedures, slang expressions such as "OK", "REPEAT", "TEN-FOUR", "OVER AND OUT", "BREAKER BREAKER", "COME IN PLEASE", etc., should not be used. Appendix A contains a list of words and phrases that should be used where applicable.

And Appendix A
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.ns ... ml#appenda
(I am not familiar with how to put a link in certain text so you'll have to suffer with seeing the whole link )

I guess it still isn't a very large list and doesn't cover the term "Copy" tho to compare to "Roger". While I don't hear it often in Aviation I do hear it used a lot in other radio communications.

Anybody have any thoughts on using that terminology?
How do most people come about learning their phraseology? Is it all just passed down from exposure and what ever they pick up from movies?

You could have a look at CAP413, to begin with. It certainly explains what "ROGER" means.
https://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP%20413 ... 2021_4.pdf

There's also an ICAO document (on which CAP413 is based) - let me see if I can find a reference.

EDIT: I remember now: you want ICAO DOC9432 - which is almost exactly the same as CAP413, except the latter is free.

Thanks, there are some interesting ones in there that I've never heard before too! Like FANSTOP

It's a pIty that "TALLY-HO!" isn't in the approved list.

Nav Canada is working on a VFR Phraseology document pdf that should be coming out in January of this year with an IFR Phraseology document that they anticipate will come out at the end of 2015.

James Carr is the fellow working on it at Nav Canada so you may be able to contact him to get more information.

The international lists a likely a good start, and according to Nav Canada's presentation at ATAC today, they're trying to streamline their phraseology with other international ATC units, but there are likely still some "Canadian" phrases, eh.

JBI wrote:...but there are likely still some "Canadian" phrases, eh.

Anyone want to take bets on whether or not ACTPA, will make the list?

Thanks JBI.

BREAK BREAK

photofly wrote:It's a pIty that "TALLY-HO!" isn't in the approved list.

looks like wikipedia agrees with you!

This phrase has since been used by civilian pilots in response to traffic advisories provided by air traffic controllers (ATC). The pilot's response "Tally" or "Tally-ho" tells air traffic controllers that the pilot has seen the air traffic in question. For example:

ATC: Aircraft Call Sign / ID, "Airport Name, Tower, traffic at two o'clock, seven miles, a Boeing 737, west-bound, at 4000 feet."
Pilot: Aircraft Call Sign / ID, Tally-ho."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tally-ho

photofly wrote:It's a pIty that "TALLY-HO!" isn't in the approved list.

I do use "over and out" occasionally when talking to a ground station like an FSS and want to end the call, though...seems to make sense....especially with flight watch in the US -- where the call can take half an hour (so it seems ) if one doesnt cut it off....

B-rad wrote:I guess it still isn't a very large list and doesn't cover the term "Copy" tho to compare to "Roger". While I don't hear it often in Aviation I do hear it used a lot in other radio communications.

Anybody have any thoughts on using that terminology?
How do most people come about learning their phraseology? Is it all just passed down from exposure and what ever they pick up from movies?

Check out 7ECA's link, and read appendix B.

Roger is more of an acknowledgement.

Copy isn't used too often as far as I can tell, outside of the IFR world, such as "ready to copy clearance?" Though I did recall one flight test examiner using it excessively. I understand it as receiving all that is said.

Learn the phraseology mostly by experience, and... avoid picking things up from the movies, because they often do things wrong. You can use phrases like "over and out" to annoy someone, but it's not exactly proper

Rookie50 wrote:

photofly wrote:It's a pIty that "TALLY-HO!" isn't in the approved list.

I do use "over and out" occasionally when talking to a ground station like an FSS and want to end the call, though...seems to make sense....especially with flight watch in the US -- where the call can take half an hour (so it seems ) if one doesnt cut it off....

The term 'over' indicates to the other party that you are passing the conversation 'over' to them. The term 'out' means you are terminating the conversation. (getting out of it i suppose). This all would make the term 'over an out' contradictory, which is why it never was an actual used radio term. At least that is what my military radio operator training had to say on the subject.

andy.air wrote:Learn the phraseology mostly by experience

Unfortunately this is the normal way of learning standard phraseology and results - predictably - in making the same mistakes everyone else makes.

B-Rad, if you want to learn ICAO standard phraseology like a pro there is only one way, read the CAP 413 document listed above, grab a pdf of Eurocontrol's All Clear, and pay attention to the odd examples found in the AIM. DON'T just repeat what you hear on the radio. Conflicting Traffic Please Advise anyone?

I've never seen an ICAO phraseology book list a definition for "copy", nor for "ten four good buddy". "Roger" is clearly explained though. Stick to the books.

ahramin wrote:

andy.air wrote:Learn the phraseology mostly by experience

Unfortunately this is the normal way of learning standard phraseology and results - predictably - in making the same mistakes everyone else makes.

B-Rad, if you want to learn ICAO standard phraseology like a pro there is only one way, read the CAP 413 document listed above, grab a pdf of Eurocontrol's All Clear, and pay attention to the odd examples found in the AIM. DON'T just repeat what you hear on the radio. Conflicting Traffic Please Advise anyone?

I've never seen an ICAO phraseology book list a definition for "copy", nor for "ten four good buddy". "Roger" is clearly explained though. Stick to the books.

Not sure "check remarks" is listed anywhere, but it is used here all the time -- perhaps it is listed, not sure --- but seems to be effective acknowledgement. Never ever used "roger" ---- but have heard ATC use "copy that" ---

The 10- codes were used by the police. I believe the 10 was there because too many people start talking before the microphone is fully keyed. Then if part of the 10 is missed you still transmit the important part of the code. 10-5150 10-100

Breaker breaker was a citizen band phrase to indicate you felt you had something important to state while interrupting lighter conversation. Good Buddy, You got you're ears on? There was a whole language the truckers came up with most of it was to shorten up things and often to warn others of the presence of the police.

The USAF used to say "A" to cause the voice operated transmit to function before they said OK. I just heard someone claim during a trivia contest on the radio the other day that OK is actually supposed to be a four letter word. I have never heard that before and have doubt about it.

`murican stuff:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publica ... /index.htm

I think that radio phraseology should be reviewed over and over over.
http://youtu.be/KJCfUm21BsI?t=6s

(How do you embed youtube videos?)

ACTPA!? That's a big 10-30...

I've heard 'break break' used regularly by ATC in an MF zone. Typically it's when an aircraft calls up to enter just before another aircraft leaves the zone... and they'll say 'roger, preferred runway 26, wind 220/5, altimeter 3002, traffic a 150 departed to the west five min ago--break break, xyz, say position and altitude'.

ahramin wrote:

andy.air wrote:Learn the phraseology mostly by experience

Unfortunately this is the normal way of learning standard phraseology and results - predictably - in making the same mistakes everyone else makes...

...Conflicting Traffic Please Advise anyone?

Hah, I was waiting for someone to bring that up.

There are bad habits made by a lot of pilots out there, that is true. Still, you need experience to learn something, such as when to use affirmative, and when to use roger. Start with the books, then listen in, and try to not pick up the bad habits.

This is from the study guide for the radio licence


Appendix B - Procedural Words and Phrases


Word or Phrase Meaning

ACKNOWLEDGE Let me know that you have received and understood this message.
AFFIRM An expression used in radiocommunication meaning "Yes."
BREAK Indicates the separation between portions of the message. (To be used where there is no clear distinction between the text and other portions of the message.)
CLEARED Authorized to proceed under the conditions specified.
CONFIRM Have I received the following ... or Did you receive the message?"
CORRECTION An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is ....
DISREGARD Consider this transmission as not sent.
GO AHEAD Proceed with your message.
HOW DO YOU READ? What is the readability of my transmission?
I SAY AGAIN An expression used in radiocommunication meaning "I repeat for clarity or emphasis."
MAYDAY An expression meaning "I am in distress." It is the international radiotelephony distress signal. Preferably spoken three times, it indicates imminent and grave danger and means that immediate assistance is requested.
MAYDAY RELAY The spoken word for the distress relay signal.
MONITOR Listen (on frequency).
NEGATIVE No, or that is not correct, or I do not agree.
OUT Conversation is ended and no response is expected.
OVER My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you.
PAN PAN The international radiotelephony urgency signal. Preferably spoken three times, it indicates a condition that concerns the safety of an aircraft o ranother vehicle, or some person on board or within sight, but that does not require immediate assistance.
READ BACK Repeat all, or the specified part, of this message back to me exactly as received.
ROGER I have received all of your last transmission.
ROGER NUMBER I have received your message Number ________.
SAY AGAIN An expression used to request a repetition of the last transmission.
STANDBY I must pause for a few seconds or minutes. Please wait and I will call you.
SEELONCE International expression to indicate that silence has been imposed on the frequency due to a distress situation.
SEELONCE FEENEE International expression to indicate that the distress situation has ended.
SEELONCE MAYDAY An international expression to advise that a distress situation is in progress. The command comes from the station in control of the distress traffic.
WILCO Your instructions received, understood and will be complied with.
WORDS TWICE (a) As a request: Communication is difficult, please send each word, or group of words, twice;
(b) As information: Since communication is difficult, I will send each word, or group of words, twice.


Notice that "roger" "wilco" "over" "break" and "out" are all in there but "copy" and "break break" is not. I suspect that "copy" is not in there because it means the same thing as "roger" to most people. So you might as well just use "roger".


I find some people using "copy", when they really mean "wilco", as in:

Me: "Can you get the ramp crew to come out here and marshal us in?"
STOC: "copy"

Thanks for the list airway.
Affirm still seems like Confirm to me but I think I am cured of the dreaded All conflicting traff... So I should be able to learn new sensible phraseology.

I notice "good day" is missing.

When switching frequency to the next one after being handed over I used to say,
"XXX to enroute at 126.7 (or whatever the next ATC is on xxx.x ), good day."
Makes the radio seem more pleasant than "out" and sometimes if it's not busy I'll slip in "thank you and" Good Day.