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ATC and BASIC RADIO COMMUNICATION – v1.5

 

Talking to ATC (or anyone) on a radio is by some people viewed as a complicated and difficult task, with a lot of rules and regulations to follow.

All communication is based on etiquette and common courtesy when communicating with others on a radio, to set a proper standard.
When you first start communicating with ATC (or a person on the used frequency), you start with the callsign of the individual you are trying to contact, then you state your own callsign.

After that your intentions/request is stated and any order from ATC needs to be repeated to ATC by you.

If you did not understand the message from ATC, use: SAY AGAIN followed by your callsign.

We are going to look at all procedures from the start of a mission, up to the end of a mission after we safely landed.

In this training, we are taking off from MOZDOK AFB from parking 28 and our flight is STORM 6, a 2-ship F15 flight, only the LEAD will communicate with ATC.

 

*** Before calling on any channel, MAKE SURE ANY ONGOING COMMUNICATION IS FINISHED! ***

 

CLEARANCE DELIVERY:

YOU:  Mozdok Ground, STORM 6, 2 ship SU27 on APRON 1, IFR Flight to the North

ATC:  STORM 6, Mozdok Ground, cleared IFR to EXIT NORTH, fly runway heading until above 200 then direct initial altitude 1000, Mozdok QNH 762

YOU:  STORM 6, cleared to EXIT NORTH, fly runway heading until above 200 then direct initial altitude 1000, Mozdok QHN 762

ATC:  STORM 6, readback correct, call for startup

 

In this example you are ordered to climb to 1000m (3000ft) at which you should be at CRP EXIT NORTH (Compulsory Reporting Point) and report back to ATC that you are there. This depends on the airport you are at, so check the AERODROME CHARTS for all local names and locations. In this case it is called EXIT NORTH on the charts and ATC wants you to confirm your location once there and give you new orders.

The WIND CHECK should not be repeated, unless you heard it incorrectly.

 

STARTUP PROCEDURE:

 

YOU:  Mozdok Ground, STORM 6

ATC:  STORM 6, Mozdok Ground

 

— Once a connection has been established between you and ATC, only the flight’s CALLSIGN needs to be stated,

you state your callsign at the end of your message —

YOU:  2-ship F15, REQUEST START-UP, STORM 6

ATC:  STORM 6, START-UP approved

YOU:  START-UP approved, STORM 6

— Once started up and all ready to taxi, you ask for permission to taxi

 

TAXI  PROCEDURE:

 

YOU:  STORM 6, REQUEST TAXI

ATC:  STORM 6, taxi runway 08 via ALPHA and hold short, (OPTIONAL: contact TOWER 137.000)

YOU:  Taxi runway 08 via ALPHA and hold short, STORM 6

 

Now taxi to RWY 08 via the designated ALPHA taxiway, which you find on your AERODROME CHART and hold short (stop) before reaching the RWY.

(OPTIONAL: When holding short, switch to the TOWER frequency at 137.000).

During taxi you might get orders or messages, orders could be to stop for passing traffic or obstacles, always obey ATC!

 

TAKE-OFF PROCEDURE:

 

YOU:  Mozdok Tower, STORM 6, holding short RWY 08 at ALPHA and ready for departure

ATC:  STORM 6, the WIND is 135/15 maximum 21, cleared for take-off RWY 08

YOU:  Cleared for take-off RWY 08, STORM 6

 

Explanation about the WIND CHECK 135/15 max 21  =  wind heading 135 degrees, 15 knots speed, max speed 21 knots.

 

AFTER TAKE-OFF PROCEDURE:

 

YOU:  STORM 6 is at EXIT NORTH

ATC:  STORM 6, switch to TAW RADAR on UNIFORM 1 and resume own navigation, good day

YOU:  Switching to TAW RADAR, STORM 6, good day

 

ATC will order when to change to another frequency or you do it according to the current Aerodrome Standard Operating Procedures on leaving ATC airspace.

When entering an airspace, changing frequencies is done according to the AERODROME SOP or by ATC orders.

 

When leaving the CTR (Controlled Traffic Region; so the area the local airport has control over) you are switching to a large area radar control center and you will thank the ATC operator for his/her services. Always be nice!

Now you are flying either VFR (Visual Flight Rules; you as a pilot are responsible for all navigation and safety) or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules; radar control is responsible for navigation). Of course as a pilot you are at all times responsible for visually looking out for other traffic to prevent mid-air collisions.

 

 ENTERING CTR and ARRIVAL PROCEDURE:

 

BEFORE entering a CTR, you should switch to the local frequency/TS channel (usually ARRIVAL) and state who you are and what your intentions are.

You also state your current altitude and in this case we already know that RWY 08 is active.

 

YOU:  Mozdok Arrival, STORM 6

ATC:  STORM 6, Mozdok Arrival

YOU:  Good day, 2-ship F15, currently at 3000ft, 20 miles South of ENTRY WEST, RWY 08, FULL STOP, STORM 6

ATC:  STORM 6, good day, cleared inbound RWY 08, (OPTIONAL: descent to 1500ft), report at ENTRY WEST

YOU:  Cleared inbound, (descent to 1500ft), report at ENTRY WEST, STORM 6

 

— When you are at ENTRY WEST, you will contact Mozdok Arrival again and follow orders. You do not need to establish a connection first,

because the ATC is already expecting your message —

 

YOU:  STORM 6 is at ENTRY WEST

ATC:  STORM 6, cleared for visual approach, expect OVERHEAD BREAK, contact TOWER 137.000 (frequency if applicable)

YOU:  Cleared for visual approach, contact TOWER 137.000, STORM 6

 

— You will now switch to the TOWER (TS channel or frequency).

 

LANDING PROCEDURE:

 

YOU:  Mozdok Tower, good day, STORM 6

ATC:  STORM 6, good day, the WIND is 140/12, maximum 22, cleared for landing RWY 08, report at (OVERHEAD) BREAK

YOU:  Cleared to land, report at BREAK, STORM 6

 

— After you visually (or via ILS) line-up with the runway and your distance from the airport is around 10 miles/15km, you will report you are on FINAL.

 

 YOU:  STORM 6 is at BREAK

ATC:  STORM 6, cleared for landing RWY 08

 

 — After you landed the TOWER will order you where to vacate the runway from and have you switch to GROUND CONTROL (if applicable).

 

ATC:  STORM 6, vacate DELTA on the right and contact GROUND 121.300

YOU:  Vacate DELTA on the right and contact GROUND 121.300, STORM 6

 

GROUND PROCEDURE:

 

After a successful landing you will vacate the runway via exit DELTA on the right side and contact Ground Control (TS channel or frequency).

 

YOU:  Mozdok Ground, STORM 6, good day, vacated at DELTA on the right, REQUEST PARKING

ATC:  STORM 6, Mozdok Ground, good day, taxi to RAMP 2 on ECHO via DELTA and PARK at 18

YOU:  Taxi RAMP 2 on ECHO via DELTA, PARK at 18, STORM 6

 

ATC and COMMUNICATION document by

— Dutch Baron —

Version 1.5  –  2016

Commonly used Brevity

ANCHOR/ANCHORED:	Orbit about a specific point; refueling track flown by tanker. Informative call to indicate a turning engagement about a specific location.
BEAM/BEAMING:	Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degree aspect; generally (direction) given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, or south.
BANDIT:	An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
BANZAI:	Informative call or directive flow communication when deciding to go to the merge from a beyond visual range (BVR) position.
BLANK:	A SEAD aircraft does not detect any emitters of interest.
BLIND:	No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of VISUAL.
BOGEY:	A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown eg. ECM Contact
BOGEY DOPE:	Request for target information as briefed/available.
BOX:	Groups/contacts/formations in a square or offset square.
BRAA:	Bearing, Range, Altitude, Aspect, The format ALL Bandit and Bogey calls MUST be given in.
BREAK:	Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the direction indicated. Assumes a defensive situation.
BROKE LOCK:	Loss of radar/IR lockon (advisory).
BUDDY SPIKE:	Friendly aircraft airtoair indication on RWR. To be followed by
BUGOUT:	Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation.(Direction) No intent to re engage/recommit.
BULLSEYE:	An established point from which the position of an object referenced. Made by cardinal/range or digital format.
BUSTER:	Directive call to fly at max continuous speed (military power). position/heading/altitude.
CHEAPSHOT:	Not guiding an Active missile until its fully supported Pitbull time.
CHECK:	Turn left or right and maintain new heading.(LEFT/RIGHT)
CHERUBS:	Angels expressed in hundreds of feet, i.e. cherubs 3 would be 300 feet.
CLEAN:	Reply to RAYGUN call if you are not being locked.
COLD:	Aircraft is flying away from you / other aircraft.
COMMIT/COMMITTED:	Fighter intent to engage/intercept; controller/aircrews continues to provide information.
CONNING:	Enemy AC leaving contrails.
CRANK:	FPole maneuver; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal (Direction) limits.
CRUISE:	Informative or directive call to return to cruise speed (after BUSTER or GATE).
DANGER ZONE:	Above Angels 40.
DECLARE:	Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track(s), target(s), or correlated group
DEFENSIVE:	Aircraft is under attack, maneuvering defensively, and unable to ensure deconfliction or mutual support.
DRAG(ING):	Target stabilized at 060 degrees aspect.(Direction) or 120180 degrees angle from nose.
ENGAGE:	A fire control order used to direct or authorize units and/or weapons systems to rire on a designated target.
ENGAGED:	Informative interflight call from a fighter maneuvering in the visual arena (NOTE: definition is, “Descriptive call indicating maneuvering with intent to kill”)
EXTEND:	Short term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation;(Direction) Normally with the intent of reengaging.
FADED:	Radar contact is lost. (Termination of track plotting is not warranted.)
FENCE IN:	Set cockpit switches as appropriate before entering/exiting the combat area. (training will confirm what this is)
FLOAT:	Directive/informative call to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain radar contact for a defensive posture.
FLOW (direction):	Directive call to fly stated heading.
FOX (Number):	ONE (SARH) semiactive radar homing. AIM7/R27R/T/ER/EM. TWO (IR) infrared guided missile. THREE (ARH) active radar guided missile. AIM120/R77. FOUR infrared guided medium range missile R27ET.
FREE:	Fighter is available to support and not currently engaged.
GATE:	Directive/informative to fly as quickly as possible, USING afterburner/max power.
GORILLA:	Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.
GOT EYES:	Do you have visual? Usually a call from Lead ‘Have you got eyes on me?’.
HOLDING HANDS:	Aircraft in visual formation.
HOOK (direction):	Directive call to perform an inplace 180degree turn.
HOUNDOG:	Call made by free fighter indicating that he is in a position to employ weapons.
HOT:	Target is flying towards you / other aircraft.
HOME PLATE:	Home airfield or carrier.
JINK:	Directive call to perform an unpredictable maneuver to negate a tracking solution.
JOKER:	Fuel state above BINGO at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.
JUDY:	Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target, and has taken control of the intercept, and only requires situational awareness information.
KNIFE FIGHT:	Gunzo fight.
LADDER:	Picture label with three or more groups on the same azimuth but separated by range. Group names should be LEAD GROUP, MIDDLE GROUP, TRAIL GROUP
MAD DOG:	The launch of an Active missile without locking the target with radar/visual launch.
MAGNUM:	Launch of an antiradar missile.
MARKING:	Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.
MERGED:	Friendly aircraft merging with a bandit at close range.
MILITARY POWER:	The maximum possible thrust from the engines WITHOUT afterburner.
MILLER TIME:	Informative call indicating completion of airtogroundordnance delivery.
MUD SPIKE:	Lock by a SAM Radar
MUSIC (ON/OFF):	Electronic radar jamming. (On AI radar, electronic deceptive jamming.)
NAILS:	Contacts on TEWS who are painting you.
NAKED:	No TEWS contacts.
NEW PICTURE:	Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls and reestablishes picture for all players.
NO FACTOR:	Not a threat.
NO JOY:	Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit/Landmark. Opposite of TALLY.
NOSE HOT/NOSE COLD:	Turn Radar ON and OFF.
NOTCH(ING) (direction):	Directive/informative call that an aircraft is in a defensive position
OFF (direction):	Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.
ON STATION:	Informative call unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.
PADLOCKED:	Informative call indicating aircrew cannot take eyes off an aircraft, ground target, or surface position without risk of losing TALLY/VISUAL.
PANCAKE:	Land or I wish to land (e.g. PANCAKE AMMO, PANCAKE FUEL).
PAINTING:	To illuminate or be illuminated by radar.
PICTURE:	Tactical situation status pertinent to mission (update).
PIGEONS:	Magnetic bearing and range to home plate (or specified destination). (Location)
PICKLE:	Drop all ordnance or a drop tank.
PITBULL:	Informative AIM120 is at MPRF active range.
PKB:	Probability of Kill Band. (between Angels 22 and 26) and maneuvering with reference to an airtoair threat.
PLAYTIME:	Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.
PORT:	Left side.
POSIT:	Request for friendly position; response in terms of a geographic landmark or from a common reference point.
PRESS/PRESSING:	Directive to continue the attack.
PUMP:	A briefed maneuver to minimize closure on the threat or geographical boundary with the intent to reengage. Used to initiate a Grinder tactic.
PUSH/PUSHING:	Aircraft heading towards another aircraft / location / heading.
RAYGUN:	Indicates a radar lockon to unknown aircraft. A request for a (Position/Heading/ “BUDDY SPIKE” reply from friendly aircraft meeting these Altitude) parameters(to prevent fratricide).
RENO:	Indicates that more than one radar contact is observed and the pilot is able to distinguish his assigned target(s).
REPEAT:	Instruction to fire again.
RESET:	Proceed to a prebriefed position or area of operation.
RIFLE:	Launch of Air to Surface guided missile.
ROGER:	Yes / I understand.
SADDLED:	Informative call from wingman/element indicating the return to briefed formation position.
SAUNTER:	Fly at best endurance.
SAY:	Request for information eg. ‘Phoenix 11, Phoenix 12 SAY Picture’
SAY AGAIN:	Repeat your last transmission [Repeat is NEVER used for this purpose because the term means to fire again]
SCRATCH:	Enemy ship kill.
SHOOTER:	Aircraft/unit designated to employ ordnance.
SKATE:	Informative call to initiate ‘Launch and Leave’ tactics.
SKOSH:	Aircraft is out of or unable to employ active radar missiles.
SLICE/ SLICEBACK:	Directive calls to perform a highG descending turn in the stated direction, usually 180 degree turn.
SMASH:	Directive to turn on/off NAV lights.
SNAP (direction):	An immediate vector to the heading / direction described.
SNUGGLE UP:	Close the formation distance.
SPIKE:	RWR indication of an AI threat in track or launch.
SPLASH:	Enemy AC kill.
STANDBY:	Wait, also expressed as “wait one”
STARBOARD:	Right side.
STORES:	Release of Air to Ground guided bomb/s.
SITREP:	Similar to ‘PICTURE’ request for update on current situation.
STINGER:	Bogey/bandit in trail of a formation.
SWEET:	Up and running normal.
SPLASH:	(A/A) Target destroyed.
SHACK:	(A/G) Weapons impact.
STATUS:	Request for tactical situation.
STROBE:	Radar indications of noise jamming.
TALLY:	Sighting of a target, bandit, bogey, or enemy position; opposite of NO JOY.
TARGETED:	Group/pilot responsibility has been met.
TIGER:	Enough fuel and ordnance to accept a commit.
TRACKING:	1. Stabilized gun solution. 2. Continuous illumination. 3. Contact heading.
TRASHED:	Informative call that missile has been defeated.
TUMBLEWEED:	Indicates limited situational awareness; NO JOY; BLIND; a request for information.
UNABLE:	Cannot comply as requested/directed.
VISUAL:	Sighting of a friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of BLIND.
WEEDS:	Indicates that aircraft are operating close to the surface.
WHAT STATE:	Report amount of fuel and missiles remaining in the order below. Active = number of active radar missiles remaining. Radar = number of semiactive radar missiles remaining. Heat = number of IR missiles remaining. Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining. eg. 4, 2, 2 and 10k = 4 Slammers, 2 Sparrows, 2 Sidewinders and 10,000lbs of fuel. 6, 2, 0 and 10k = 6 Slammers, 2 Sparrows, 0 Sidewinders and 10,000lbs of fuel.
WILCO:	Will comply.
WINCHESTER:	No ordnance remaining.